Scottish yard wins multi-million-pound order from Inverlussa

A leading Scottish aquaculture support company has awarded a
multi-million-pound contract for a new hybrid workboat to support the Scottish
salmon sector.

Mull-based Inverlussa Marine Services has appointed Macduff
Shipyards to design and build the 25-metre vessel, which will be equipped with
the latest technology.

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes welcomed the announcement
as she witnessed the contract signing at Macduff Harbour today.

The contract is expected to create an additional six jobs
within Inverlussa, bringing the total number of employees to 140.

Proven shipbuilder

Macduff Shipyards has a track record of designing and
fabricating vessels for aquaculture and fishing from its facilities in Macduff
and Buckie, Moray.

The new vessel will expand Inverlussa’s fleet to 23 and will
operate with a crew of six.

Work on the vessel is expected to commence shortly, with
plans for it to be operational by the third quarter of 2025, supporting salmon
farms off the west coast, as well as in Shetland and Orkney.

The vessel will be equipped with upgraded crane capacities
and deck equipment, including larger towing and heavy-duty winches designed to
lift and tow heavy objects such as feed barges.

This specialised equipment will enhance the firm’s salmon
farm mooring grid handling capabilities and net lifting capacity, reflecting
the increasing size of aquaculture equipment and maximising the safety and
capability of its vessels and crew.

Intended to service larger sites operating in deeper, more
exposed, and remote offshore locations, the vessel’s design emphasises advanced
seakeeping capabilities to provide a stable platform in rough seas.

Ensuite cabins

It will also feature five ensuite cabins with a significant
focus on noise reduction especially when conducting 24-hour operations to
enhance crew comfort and living conditions aboard.

In additional to having a hybrid battery pack, the engines
will meet the International Maritime Organisation’s strict Tier 3 emissions
standards, achieving an 80% reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions compared to
Tier 2, to significantly curb greenhouse gases.

Although not mandatory, the company has opted for Tier 3
compliance and hybrid to enhance the vessel’s eco-friendly credentials.

Kate Forbes, the Scottish Government’s Deputy First Minister
and Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Gaelic, said: “It is crucial that we
continue to embrace innovation in aquaculture practices so that the sector can
become resilient to the pressing challenges posed by climate change.

“The Scottish Government’s Vision for Sustainable
Aquaculture sets out our aspirations for a thriving and innovative sector. The
deployment of new hybrid technologies is a great example of how innovation can
contribute to the sustainable development of Scottish aquaculture.”

Greater capacity

Inverlussa managing director Ben Wilson said the new-build
service boat was a state-of-the-art vessel from a Scottish shipyard with a
first-class track record of building quality vessels for the aquaculture
sector.

“As well as providing a much-needed boost to the Scottish
shipbuilding industry, the addition of this vessel to our fleet will provide
even greater capacity to our thriving Scottish salmon sector and provide
increased capacity and capability in supporting salmon farming operations to
operate as efficiently and sustainably as possible,” said Wilson.

“Inverlussa is proud to provide jobs for more than 130
people up and down the west coast of Scotland.

“The fact that this contract signing was attended by
Scotland’s Deputy First Minister shows the importance our sector has to the
Scottish economy, and to the many local communities that benefit from salmon
farming.

“Inverlussa wants to provide added value to the Scottish
aquaculture sector, and our continuing investment in our company, vessels, and
people shows how we are committed to providing the best customer service.”

Invested heavily

John Watt, managing director at Macduff Shipyards, said the
company was very grateful that Inverlussa Marine Services had once again placed
its trust in Macduff.

“Inverlussa was one of the first companies in the
aquaculture sector which the shipyard worked with and they have helped our
business to expand and grow into this thriving industry.

“The new vessel is to be built at the shipyard’s Buckie
facility which the company acquired in 2013. Since then, we have invested
heavily in the site, renewing and upgrading the slipping facilities and sheds,
as well as recruiting staff and training new apprentices.

“In recent years the company has been very busy, in both
Macduff and Buckie, servicing and maintaining many of the Scottish aquaculture
vessels and barges.

“The vessel design has been very carefully considered and we
have redesigned the propulsion package to provide maximum efficiency, ensuring
that the vessel is as energy efficient as possible.”

Grow salmon, grow the economy

Tavish Scott, chief executive of trade body Salmon Scotland,
said Inverlussa and Macduff were shining examples of the more than 3,600 supply
chain businesses that make an essential contribution to the Scottish salmon
sector.

“The significant investment in new vessels with a greener
footprint will enable our farmers to operate even more sustainably, regardless
of the weather, and generate highly paid, highly skilled jobs, and prosperity
in our rural and coastal communities,” said Scott.

“This is a real demonstration of the importance of salmon to
Scotland’s economy – when we grow salmon, we grow our economy.”