Solstad Farstad Expanding in Aquaculture Sector

Solstad Farstad has announced five new long-term contracts and fleet growth within the aquaculture segment through its 50% owned company DESS Aquaculture.

DESS Aquaculture and Marine Harvest have entered into seven-year term charter contracts for additional two wellboats.

The new vessels will have a capacity of 3.500 m3 and will be sister vessels of the two wellboats already under construction at the Turkish yard Sefine.

Together with the client, SALT Ship Design and Cflow, the fish handling systems have been in focus to set an improved standard for fish handling and welfare.

DESS Aquaculture has options for two additional wellboats under the contract with Sefine. The two new vessels will be delivered from the yard in 1Q and 2Q 2020, respectively, and will begin their long-term contracts directly upon delivery.

Furthermore, DESS Aquaculture and Marine Harvest (Scotland) have also entered into ten-year term charter contracts for three service vessels. The vessels will be built at the Dutch yard Niestern Sander Scheepsbouw BV, and will be delivered during first half of 2019 and start their long-term contracts with Marine Harvest directly upon delivery.

DESS Aquaculture is owned 50% by a wholly owned subsidiary of Solstad Farstad and 50% by Marine Harvest. Following the conclusion of the five new construction contracts the Company has 6 wellboats, 1 harvest vessel and 3 service vessels under construction, in total 10 vessels.

“We are very pleased with the development within the aquaculture segment and these latest additions to the construction program and order backlog. The organization now looks forward to take delivery of the first aquaculture vessel during 2Q 2018,” says Jon Are Gummedal, EVP Aquaculture.