Trident Aqua Services has held the official naming ceremony of FSV Scotia, a new harvest vessel delivered from Fitjar Mekaniske Verksted earlier this year.
The vessel, which entered service with Mowi Scotland in May, has completed its introduction phase and is now operating from Mallaig, the company’s main harvesting hub. Mowi said the vessel will support its long-term growth ambitions in Scotland.
“This technologically advanced vessel and the operational experience of Trident Aqua Services will help to facilitate Mowi’s plans for sustainable growth in Scotland. This new vessel, along with our existing infrastructure in Mallaig and Fort William, gives us the capacity to realise those growth plans in the decades to come,” said Scott Nolan, Sales and Processing Director of Mowi Scotland.
Vessel design and build
Based on the Aurora 500 SD design from Sirius Design & Integration, FSV Scotia measures 50 metres in length and 12 metres in beam, with an RSW capacity of 500 m³. It features a Baader processing plant designed for gentle and efficient harvesting, as well as electric-driven propulsion units with Brunvoll tunnel thrusters for improved manoeuvrability.
The hull was constructed by Finomar in Poland before being outfitted at Fitjar Mekaniske Verksted in Norway. FSV Scotia is the fourth newbuild delivered from Fitjar to Trident Aqua Services, following Aqua Mist, Multi Arctic, and FSV Superior, along with a major rebuild of Multi Safety.
“FSV Scotia has been designed and built with a clear focus on fish welfare, biosecurity and maintaining fish quality throughout the harvesting process. Seeing it already deliver strong results for our customer underlines the importance of close collaboration and skilled crews,” said Arild Aasmyr, CEO of Trident Aqua Services.
Industry significance
Salmon Scotland Chief Executive Tavish Scott said the vessel represents continued investment in the Scottish salmon sector.
“Vessels like this not only strengthen operational capacity but also highlight the important connection between our work and the communities that support it,” he said.
The naming ceremony was held in Mallaig with representatives from Mowi, Trident Aqua Services, industry stakeholders and the local community.
