Damen Shiprepair Amsterdam (DSAm) is converting a platform supply vessel (PSV) into a fish feed carrier for fish feed distributor Eidsvaag.
The conversion is expected to improve efficiency and sustainability in the Norwegian aquaculture industry. The vessel, now renamed Eidsvaag Opal, was part of a six-vessel order Damen built for the offshore supply company, World Wide Supply, and was delivered in 2013.
“One of the main things that made Damen stand out as a strong candidate in the tender process was their previous experience with the vessel,” explained Vidar Eidsvaag, general manager and owner at Eidsvaag.
He added: “In addition to knowledge of the actual vessel, Damen was able to demonstrate the successful completion of a relevant conversion for the aquaculture industry.”
Steel suitability
DSAm was identified as the most suitable yard in the group for the project, based on its facilities and its proximity to Niron Staal, Damen’s specialist steel fabricator.
Eidsvaag Opal arrived at the yard in the final weeks of 2019. The main deck was removed first, after which the vessel was cut in half and the sub-contractor Mammoet moved the aft section of the vessel 10m back in order to allow space for the fitting of the new 4.9m section.
31 new steel sections are now being inserted into the hull and divided into sponsons and the new big bag hold. In total, 650t of new steel will be fabricated by Niron Staal and installed in Eidsvaag Opal while she is in drydock at DSAm. 300t of redundant ship’s structure will also be removed as part of the conversion process.
When complete, the vessel will be able to transport 2,800t of feed at a time.
