(SWZ Maritime article) The combination of a Multi Cat and a Stan Pontoon is an entirely new concept in the fish farm industry.
SWZ Maritime's December issue takes a closer look at Norway's maritime industry. In Norway, aquaculture, or fish farming, is booming. Editor Gerrit de Boer wrote an article on a vessel combination Damen will deliver to a Norwegian fish farm company. As we were out of room to publish it in our December issue, we offer the article here on SWZonline.
Norwegian fish farm enterprise Frøy Vest AS, Sistranda, has ordered a Multi Cat 2712 (yardnumber 571725, imo 9777515) and a Stan Pontoon 4113 (yardnumber 523702, imo 9657129) from Damen Shipyards. As the vessels are to be delivered from stock, a very short delivery time could be offered.
The contract for the Multi Cat/Stan Pontoon combination was signed on 28 October at Damen Shipyards Hardinxveld.
Reduced Operational Costs
In the past no fewer than four vessels were used for fish farming operations, but the combination of one Multi Cat and a Stan Pontoon is a guarantee that the operational costs are reduced considerably. Remko Hottentot, Manager Sales of Damen Shipyards Norway in Stavanger: ‘This concept is new for the fish farm industry as a whole, not only for this client. The industry is growing and has to comply with stricter norms in terms of safety, the environment, et cetera. So, it was quite logical that we came up with this new concept after having heard what Frøy Vest had to say.’
The concept of combining a Multi Cat with a Stan Pontoon was developed by Damen and first presented at the Aqua Nor Trade Fair 2015 in Trondheim (18 – 21 August) with a very good response. Mr Hottentot explained: ‘This positive response led to the sale of the first combination. Both vessels are proven-standard vessels, but they have been adapted to the requirements and wishes of Frøy Vest. For instance, the deck is not made of wood for reasons of hygiene, and larger cranes and winches have been placed on deck for enhanced productivity.’
Multi Cat 2712
The hull of the Multi Cat 2712 was built in Poland and delivered in Dordrecht by the Polish motor tug Serval on 18 April and subsequently completed at Hardinxveld.
The technical details of the Multi Cat 2712 are: 296 gt, 88 nt, L o.a. x B x D (d) = 27.27 (23.99) x 12.50 x 3.80 (3.05) metres. The propulsion consists of two Caterpillar-diesel engines, type C32 TTA Acert, with a total power of 2432 bhp or 1790 kW at 1800 rpm via WAF 572 (7,091 : 1), on two fixed Promarin-screws in Optima-nozzles with a diameter of 1900 mm resulting in a maximum bollard pull of 34.8 tonnes and a maximum speed of 10.5 knots. The hydraulic bow thruster has an output of 200 bhp. The bunker capacity is 110 m³. There is accommodation on board for seven people in four cabins.
The basic functions of the Multi Cat 2712 are anchor handling, dredger service, supply, towing, hose handling, surveying and fish farm works.
General arrangement of a similar Multi Cat 2712 (or download PDF for higher resolution).
Stan Pontoon 4113
The details of the Stan Pontoon 4113 are: 965 dwt, L x B x D = 41.40 x 13.00 x 3.00 metres. The maximum draught is 2.40 metres. The maximum allowed deck load is 10 tonnes per m² and the free deck space is 533 m². With a deck thickness of 12 mm the pontoon is suitable for extra heavy weights.
Artist impression of a Stan Pontoon 4113 (Damen product sheet).
The typical applications for the StanPontoon 4113 are deck cargo and ro/ro operations and the pontoon can be deployed in deep-sea areas, coastal and inland waters. This pontoon, which has been built by Jiangsu Ganghua Shipyards, arrived at Rotterdam on 10 November 2012 as deck cargo on board the Zhen Hua 29.
Picture (top): Render of the Multi Cat 2712 & Stan Pontoon 4113 at a fish farm.
