Inverlussa places orders for two hybrid workboats

Workboat operator Inverlussa Marine Services has ordered an additional vessel from Nauplius Workboats. The contract follows a previous order placed late last year and will bring Inverlussa’s fleet to 20 in total.

Both of the latest orders are for hybrid workboats, powered by a diesel-electric propulsion system, and they will be put to use servicing the aquaculture industry in Scotland.

Hybrid technology and cutting-edge battery technology will enable the new vessels to either use energy from the batteries, or store energy in the batteries when surplus energy is produced from the ship’s generators.

Inverlussa said: “Reduced fuel consumption will in turn help drive down the operation costs for our customers.”

The first vessel will be named “Eloise Eslea” and will be delivered late September, with the second vessel (currently known as N023), being delivered late December. N023 is a 27m x 13m workboat. Inverlussa expects to recruit an additional 12 crew/staff which will take the company’s headcount to 115 local employees.

Nauplius, which is based in the Netherlands, recently delivered the 34m delousing vessel “Camilla Eslea”, currently on a long-term charter to Mowi Scotland from Inverlussa.

Ben Wilson, Inverlussa’s managing director, said: “We are pleased to work with Nauplius Workboats again after our positive experience with ‘Camilla Eslea’; the vessel was delivered on budget and on time.

“As a business we want to be an industry leader, building a reputation as a leading and forward-thinking partner in the Scottish aquaculture sector. We aim to achieve this through continually reinvesting, innovating, and a strong focus on working with the most talented crew in the industry. This order for two newly designed Hybrid vessels show Inverlussa’s commitment to delivering the best service to our customers.”

The new vessels along with “Camilla Eslea” will be the first fish farm vessels in Scotland to use azimuth propulsion which enables the vessel to use full power in any direction allowing the ability to move in wind speeds which would normally not be possible with conventional vessels. Another major attribute is the Dynamic Positioning system, allowing the vessels to remain stationary on any one position for long periods, which is also a first within Scotland, Inverlussa said.

Since March 2020 the Mull-based Inverlussa has taken delivery of six new vessels, designed and built specifically for Scottish aquaculture.

Mairi Gougeon, Rural Affairs Secretary in the Scottish Government, welcomed the news and said: “It underlines the importance of the aquaculture sector to the rural economy.”

Inverlussa Managing Director Ben Wilson