Powering the future of aquaculture: why electric boats are leading the way

Evoy’s electric motor systems are the strategic choice for sustainable and cost-effective aquaculture

The commercial marine sector is evolving. It’s not just the cruise ship industries which recognise the economic benefits of using electric boats for daytrips and eco-minded excursions.

The electrification of boats used within aquaculture and fish-farming industries is rapidly gaining in popularity as well.

Where vessels are typically being used for short-range duties, electric is a sought-after alternative to internal combustion. Norwegian electric motor manufacturer, Evoy, specialises in high-output inboard and outboard motors, that can be installed either in new-builds, or retrofitted to existing hulls, with batteries that normally take up the same space that once housed the fuel tank. Evoy has several aquaculture customers and is at the forefront of aquaculture’s shift to electric.

‘Tobias’ Admiral 25 with Evoy Hurricane 400+ hp electric motor system

Advantages of electric boats for fish farming 
From a sense of collective responsibility to reduce emissions, the use of zero-emission propulsion deserves as much attention as we can possibly give it.

From a business perspective, electric boats make a compelling case as to why more aquaculture and fish-farming businesses should be transitioning towards electric within their fleets.

With zero diesel fuel costs, significantly fewer moving parts compared to an internal combustion engine, and with no regular service items such as fuel filters to think about, electric motors are easier and less costly to run and maintain.

Initial acquisition cost is higher, but after operational expenses are taken into consideration, such as the high cost of fuel and servicing that diesel engines require, electric motors start paying back immediately.  Certain use cases show that aquaculture businesses start to see a financial return from electric in two-plus years.

“We are quite sure that electric will be the future,” said Anders Grønås, Technical Leader at Bremnes Seashore Group. Bremnes uses 400hp Evoy Hurricane motor systems to power two of their workboats. “As with anything else that’s new, we were fully aware there would be costs at the beginning.”

Accelerating the shift to emission-free operations is Evoy’s mission. The Norway-based company is now one of the world’s leading suppliers of high-output electric motor systems, with inboards from 120hp to 400hp and outboards from 120hp to 300hp, for boats of between 15ft to 50ft.

Norway’s Bremnes Seashore, a pioneer in quality salmon farming

User experience: electric boats enhance efficiency and comfort 
From a user’s perspective, aquaculture professionals have told us they much prefer to drive an electric boat, with inherently less vibration, less noise, less fumes, and the knowledge that they won’t be leaving behind an oily residue. All in all, their workday is calmer and easier.

“Our boat personnel and our maintenance team are quite happy. You only need to remember to plug it in,” said Grønås.

Reliable and ready: charging and range for electric workboats
Evoy motors can be charged with a 6kW, 22kW or 44kW onboard charger with standard shore power cable, or from a charging point on a barge out at sea. The typical charge pattern is at the end of a shift, ready for the next day’s use. For quick turnaround times, Evoy systems can DC- fast charge, which will give 80% boost in less than an hour.

With no need to warm up the motor, electric boats can be driven straightaway. Electric motor systems have smooth continuous power delivery and instant torque; they are quick and responsive to drive, adding a level of immersive contentment when underway.

Range is always a discussion point with electric boats. With battery density levels and hull efficiency improving all the time, however, range is far less of a concern than ever before.

The working range for normal average use is 25nm (nautical miles) at 25knots*, but this can extend to more than 40nm with slower speeds or multiple battery packs, and range extenders carried onboard will ensure there is enough range for higher-than-average needs.
* Based on 126kWh configuration, 80% DoD, 4.0 kWh/nm, exp. from Goldfish X9.

Norway’s Bremnes Seashore uses electric workboats in their fleet

Norway’s Bremnes Seashore Group: an electric boat use case for salmon farming
Aquaculture is one of the world’s most efficient, sustainable methods to produce high-quality protein. As Norwegian fish farmers work towards responsibly filling needs in global food supply, fish farming in Norway has grown from 0.8% of the GDP in 2004 to 3% in recent years. If you’ve ever experienced salmon from a licensed Norwegian farm, you’ll know that it’s not only a delicacy, but little else compares from a nutritional perspective.

The Bremnes Seashore Group — renowned for the premium SALMA brand — account for 35,000 farmed and harvested tonnes annually, with another 15,000 tonnes processed and packaged on behalf of other Norwegian producers. For Bremnes, sustainable production starts with farming methods and extends to the fleet. Out of 30 workboats boats, made up of personnel carriers and working boats, two have been converted to electric so far.

‘Tobias’, an Admiral 25 shaft-drive of 7.8m length and ‘Elisabeth’ an 8.6m Polarcirkel 860, have Evoy Hurricane 400+ hp inboard motors installed, with battery packs relevant to each boat’s needs.

The company has committed to reducing its carbon footprint and has plans to acquire more electric boats in 2025.

Substantiating the decision to place electric firmly on the agenda, Anders Grønås told us: “The reality is that boats used in this industry spend quite a lot of their time at zero speed and engines are left switched on and idling for much of their time.

“This seems to make little or no sense, because apart from burning unnecessary fuel, leaving an internal combustion engine idling for too long can sometimes cause premature wear on the internals, and reduce the engine’s service life.

“Electric motors on the other hand, use none of their energy when the throttle is at zero, which prolongs the batteries and causes no mechanical harm.

“Bremnes has a huge focus on reducing carbon emissions. We were the first company worldwide to have an emission-free fish farm. We’re looking at adding more electric boats to our fleet in 2025.”