The highly anticipated handover of the Frøy Leader, an advanced battery hybrid service vessel designed for the aquaculture industry, has taken place. Developed through a collaboration between Frøy and Møre Maritime, and built by Sletta Verft, this state-of-the-art vessel marks a significant step forward in sustainable and efficient aquaculture operations.
The Frøy Leader is a battery hybrid vessel, showcasing the cutting-edge MachoCat High design by Møre Maritime. This innovative vessel is a sister ship to the Frøy Master, further refined with new design features that prioritise both environmental sustainability and crew welfare.
“This ensures large good cabins, galley, mess and living space for the crew. In the design and construction of the boat, consideration has been given to ensure that both the crew and the environment are as comfortable as possible,” says Andreas Vatn, Construction Manager, Frøy, and adds that Frøy has itself been active in developing the innovative solutions.
The Frøy Leader boasts an impressive environmental profile, featuring an easy-to-drive hull, water-borne heating, and an extra-large 1,000-kilowatt battery pack. These features, along with other energy-reducing measures, significantly reduce emissions and diesel consumption. The vessel is designed to operate around aquaculture cages with minimal noise and zero emissions, thanks to advanced noise insulation and noise-reducing measures on essential equipment like hydraulics, winches, and thrusters.
Equipped with a large hangar and control room, a spacious working deck, powerful cranes, high towing power, and ample cargo and storage space, the Frøy Leader is built to handle the diverse challenges of the aquaculture industry. The vessel will immediately commence operations under contract with a major Norwegian aquaculture operator.
“We have had a good collaboration with Frøy for many years now. This boat was a fun challenge. It took some time, but we have got a good product that we are proud of. We look forward to building more similar boats in the future,” says Kåre Sletta, Sletta Verft.
