BioMar Norway orders hybrid feed vessel for 2029

NORWAY – BioMar Norway has entered a long-term partnership with Egil Ulvan Rederi to build and operate a new 4,000-tonne feed vessel, strengthening the company’s capacity and delivery reliability for aquaculture customers along the Norwegian coast.

The investment forms part of BioMar’s efforts to strengthen feed logistics as Norway’s aquaculture industry continues to develop.

The approximately 75-metre vessel will be owned and operated by Egil Ulvan Rederi and is scheduled to enter service in the second quarter of 2029.

It will be built at Jiangsu Soho Marine Heavy Industry in China.

“With this vessel we strengthen efficiency, capacity, flexibility and delivery reliability, so that we are well positioned to meet the industry’s future needs,” said Håvard Yngve Jørgensen, Managing Director of BioMar Norway.

The ship has been designed specifically for fish feed distribution, with a focus on efficient loading and unloading and reliable operation in demanding aquaculture environments.

It will feature a hybrid propulsion system capable of operating with electric or direct diesel-mechanical drive.

A large battery system will help reduce energy consumption during different operating conditions, including feed unloading at fish farms and while the vessel is berthed.

The vessel will also be compatible with shore power at BioMar’s feed factories, allowing it to use electricity rather than onboard engines when connected to suitable infrastructure.

Feed logistics adapts to growing aquaculture demand

The new vessel highlights the increasing importance of specialised logistics infrastructure to Norway’s aquaculture feed supply chain.

Fish feed must be transported reliably from manufacturing facilities to farms along a geographically dispersed coastline.

For feed producers, vessel capacity, loading efficiency and delivery flexibility can directly affect their ability to maintain consistent supplies to farms.

The vessel’s design also incorporates dynamic positioning technology intended to support energy-efficient operations and reduce noise around fish farms.

BioMar said lower noise levels are important for limiting disturbance to fish when the vessel operates close to net pens.

Developed by Egil Ulvan Rederi and The Norwegian Ship Design Company, the NSD 75CC vessel will also feature a side port, elevators, a long-reach discharge boom and a 120-tonne heavy-lift crane.

“We are proud to have been chosen as a partner for this project,” said Arild Hoff, CEO of Egil Ulvan Rederi.

“Together we will develop a robust and efficient solution that meets the demanding requirements for logistics and operations in the aquaculture industry.”

BioMar said the investment supports its broader focus on resource and energy efficiency across the feed value chain while strengthening supply security for Norwegian aquaculture customers.

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