SMS delivers aquaculture vessel to operator in Malta

The SMS Group has delivered a new build aquaculture vessel to a tuna farm operator, Fish and Fish, in Malta.

This vessel has a length of 24 meters with a beam of 8.5 meters.

The principle purpose of the vessel will be tuna harvesting and aquaculture/fish farm logistical and maintenance support.

David Azzopardi, director of Fish and Fish, said: “This represents a major investment for Fish and Fish, and it illustrates not only the strength of our business but also our belief in the environmental sustainability of the aquaculture industry here in Malta.”

“Having met SMS at Seawork in 2017, and then latterly concluding the purchase post Seawork 2018, we think the quality of the product is superb, and the level of flexibility and customer commitment illustrated by SMS is genuinely exceptional.”

Dave Chaffers, the General Manager of SMS in Southampton, said: “It’s been a pleasure concluding the build with both David and James Walker of Walker Marine Design.

“The finished project is fantastic, and this is another great example of ‘best of class’ British engineering and our proven partnership with Walker Marine Design.

“As a business our focus clearly remains on ship repair, however this build helps to illustrate both our capabilities and our expertise. We’re currently exploring two further new build workboats and several major pontoon projects.

“As we look forward to a return to the new norm bespoke marine fabrication is very much on our agenda.”