Shetland-based Ocean Farm Services has turned to technology company MPI (Multi-Pump innovation) to supply net cleaning units for the new joint venture company’s first service vessel.
Ocean Farm Services (OFS) is a joint venture between two local Shetland companies, Whalsay-based Aurora Marine and Scalloway-based North Isles Marine, Multi-Pump innovation wrote in a press release.
The new boat “Apollo” is commissioned from Stamas Yard Services in Norway and designed by Marin Design. She will join “Aurora Quest” of the same design, and OFS’ third net washing vessel, the Norwegian built “Aurora” which is also fitted with a full MPI cleaning package. With a length of 14.96m breadth of 7m, and draught of 3.15m, the “Apollo” will have a crew of three. Delivery is scheduled for early summer 2019.
MPI will deliver two net cleaning systems to OFS’ newbuild service vessel, a Racemaster 3.0 net cleaning robot and a Terminator net cleaning unit. The equipment will be delivered to Stamas yard Services yard in Haugesund, Norway, in early May this year. MPI has not disclosed the value of the contract.
“OFS’ objective is to operate as a one-stop-shop for all vessel services required by salmon farms in Scotland. We are proud that they believe our net cleaning units are best suited to match the company’s strong growth ambitions,” said CEO MPI Kåre Myrvåg.
“There is a growing demand for salmon around the world, and salmon producers in Scotland are stepping up their game to catch up with Norwegian fish farmers who are currently at the forefront of creating innovative concepts for large offshore farms. This drive demands even greater service levels from companies such as ours and requires us to operate even more cost-effectively than before. That is why we have gone for MPI’s net washing units for our new vessel,” said Ocean Farm Services managing director Colin Leask.
