Sølvtrans has signed a contract with Zamakona Yards for the construction of another well-boat (live-fish carrier).
Delivery is scheduled to early 2014. The vessel is a sister ship of Rojna Polaris, currently under construction at Zamakona Yards, and in addition, Solvtrans has entered an option for two additional vessels with delivery in second half of 2014 and first half of 2015.
The investment, amounting to some NOK 250 million (€ 22 million) per vessel, will be funded through a combination of internal means and bank loans.
The new vessels will be constructed according to the same specifications as Ronja Polaris and thus have state of the art technology and environmentally friendly solutions. (A “wellboat ” is a vessel with tanks intended for transporting live fish, for this particular ship the tank capacity is 3,200 cu.m).
Roger Halsebakk CEO of Norway's Solvtrans says “We experience an increasing imbalance in the well-boat market. A combination of new licences, continued consolidation and stricter regulations in the farming industry has increased demand for modern tonnage. The new build is a direct response to this development, and the options are core to the company’s strategy to renew and expand the fleet, preparing the company for further growth. The choice of Zamakona Yards as supplier is based on Sølvtrans’ good experiences from the ongoing construction of Ronja Polaris”.
The option for two additional vessels can be exercised until 30 June 2013. The contract is subject to financing.