Thrusters, Engines Ordered For Salmon Farm Project

Rolls-Royce will supply six TT1100 tunnel thrusters for a 385 m by 60 m fish farm, which has been designed to produce salmon further offshore than has been possible so far.

Nordlaks in Stokmarknes, Norway, is currently building the salmon farm at the CIMC Raffles yard in China. Nordlaks has also ordered a new hybrid/liquefied natural gas (LNG) live fish carrier (wellboat) to be built at the Tersan shipyard in Turkey. Rolls-Royce has been commissioned to provide equipment for both newbuilds, which have been designed by NSK Ship Design.

The farm will take up a stationary position in an area southwest of Hadseløya in Nordland county. The thrusters will be used to circulate water both inside and underneath the cages in which the fish stocks are held.

“This is the first time we will be supplying thrusters for this kind of use,” said Ottar Ristesund, Rolls-Royce, senior vice president of Propulsion Sales – Marine. “Normally, they are used for ship propulsion, so it is fascinating to see that our technology is being applied in new areas. It’s good that the maritime industry can join forces with fish farmers to think innovatively and help Norway harvest food from the sea using new and sustainable methods.”

Nordlaks has also ordered a new wellboat to transport live salmon from the offshore fish farm to the onshore processing facility. The wellboat will be fitted with four LNG engines, as well as propulsion and Dynamic Positioning (DP) system from Rolls-Royce. Capable of carrying over 600 tonnes of live salmon, the wellboat will substantially increase Nordlaks’s transport capacity.

The vessel will incorporate two C26:33L6A and two C26:33L8A engines. The Bergen C26:33 gas engine is produced in 6,8 and 9 cylinder in-line to provide powers from 1460 to 2430 kW. The engines have a bore of 260 mm with a 330 mm stroke and have a range of operation speeds from 900 to 1000 rpm.

“By choosing a hybrid solution that includes our well-proven Bergen gas engines and the energy-efficient Promas propeller system, Nordlaks and NSK Ship Design have taken a long-term perspective with regard to both environmental and financial performance,” Ristesund said. “In addition, they have specified a propeller solution that provides the best possible maneuverability – whether the vessel is serving traditional fish farms in Norway’s fjords or the new installations located in rougher waters offshore. Combined with the DP system, this means the vessel produces low emissions and will run efficiently for many years. We are pleased that Nordlaks has chosen Rolls-Royce Marine in connection with both these exciting projects, and will do our best to ensure they are a success for the client and the two shipyards concerned.”