In a bid to decrease the company’s CO2 emissions and modernise its vessel fleet, a Norwegian fishing firm has ordered the world’s first electric fishing vessel, reports Jaroslaw Adamowski.

Norwegian fishing company Øra AS has signed a deal with local shipbuilder Selfa Arctic AS to acquire the first Selfa Elmax 1099, which will be named Karoline. At the time of writing, the boat was due be tested in Tjeldsundet, Norway, in late August, according to the information obtained by the Norwegian Trade Council. It will then be in place in Troms in September 2015 and be included in the daily operations of Øra As.

Under the plan, the new vessel, which was developed by the Norwegian shipbuilder in cooperation with Germany’s Siemens, will be fitted with a 195kW battery pack and an electric propulsion motor. It is to be charged through a 63 Amps 220 V course, with its charging time designed to range from six to eight hours. Owing to its propulsion, the vessel will be enabled to perform fishing operations without emitting any CO2. In addition to this, the boat will also generate less noise and vibration than a regular fuel-powered fishing vessel.

The amount of the latest contract was not disclosed by the parties. However, the project has obtained co-funding from Innovation Norway, a state-run agency which is jointly owned by the Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries and the county authorities.

Set up in 1987, Selfa Arctic AS is based in Harstad, on the Norwegian Sea shore. The company has two branches in Trondheim, and specialises in building vessels which are fitted with a length of between 9.5 and 12m (32 and 40ft). The firm’s flagship vessel is an 11m (36ft) fishing boat enabled to be operated by a single fisherman.

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