NORWEGIAN SALMON FARMER ORDERS NEW FEED BARGE

Norwegian salmon farmer orders new feed barge

Norwegian salmon farmer Flakstadvåg Laks AS is preparing for both severe weather and further growth with the order of an AKVA AC 600 PV feed barge to operate in one of the company´s most exposed locations.

The sea outside Senja in Northern Norway offers optimal conditions for Atlantic salmon, but the location is also known for its challenging sea and weather conditions. Several of Flakstadvåg Laks AS´ locations are exposed to rough weather conditions and large waves.

When the company recently invested in a new feed barge, they were looking for a reliable model that also could handle rough conditions.

“We need equipment that provides results regardless of weather conditions and at the same time safeguards our employees´ health and safety. AKVA group proves to have the technical solutions for hybrid feed barges which is a big plus,” says Roy Alapnes, Managing Director in Flakstadvåg Laks AS.

Flakstadvåg Laks chose a feed barge specifically designed for exposed conditions; an AC 600 PV dimensioned for significant wave heights of 5.5 meters. The feed barge is 39.2-meter-long and 12-meter-wide and comes with comfortable living quarters, including a large control room, kitchen, cabins with in-room bathrooms, wardrobes, storage, workshop and a veterinary room. Its double bow and V-shaped hull makes the barge stand out from other models in the market.

“The design makes the feed barge much more stable than a model with flat hull. This means much improved operational safety and comfort onboard,” Alapnes says.

The barge will be delivered in April 2020 and hooked up to Flakstadvåg Laks´ remote feeding central in Frovåg at Sør-Senja in Northern Norway. The remote feeding central will monitor the feeding at most of Flakstadvåg Laks´ locations.

It is important for Flakstadvåg Laks AS to make sound environmental decisions, Alapnes says. This has led the company to hook up onshore power where it is appropriate, but this is not an option at the most exposed sites. Flakstadvåg Laks AS has thus decided to invest in a hybrid solution for its next barge, which will have Samsung batteries from TesVolt in addition to generators from Nogva AS. The battery back has a capacity of 158 kWh and a life expectancy of 20 years.

According to Project Manager Ingmar Halleraker in AKVA group, the demand for hybrid barges is growing rapidly.

“Adding a battery back will increase costs, but the investment will pay off within just a few years. When the barge is running on batteries during nights, both the diesel consumption and need for generator maintenance is reduced,” he explains, adding:

“Battery technology keeps getting cheaper and cheaper, and the development rate is mind-blowing, both in terms of performance and battery weight. There is not a doubt in my mind that this will become the most common future operational solution for feed barges that cannot be provided with onshore power.”

“In addition to reduced costs, the consideration of the surrounding environment and our crew also weighs heavily. When a barge is running on batteries during nights, the noise level is reduced to a minimum,” Alapnes points out.