In December 2016 Damen Shipyards Group signed a contract with Norway-
based VOLT Service AS for a Utility Vessel (UV) 4312 to be delivered in Q1
2018. The vessel, to be named VOLT Processor, will undertake delousing
operations and other services at Norwegian salmon farms.

Remøy Management AS has been involved in the development of the project
and will perform the building supervision. Remøy Management will be the
manager of the vessel when delivered.

The UV 4312 follows on from Damen’s smaller model – the UV 2410. The
larger, 43 meters model reflects the value operators place on having an
abundance of open protected deck space. The design has been optimised with
extensive feedback from the aquaculture industry. The result is a ship that
corresponds precisely to the latest techniques in salmon delousing.

Adoption of the latest delousing technology benefits the lice count and fish
wellbeing while reducing or eliminating the need for chemicals in the treatment
operations. The combination of the UV 4312 with the latest delousing
techniques results in a highly mobile delousing vessel able to service more
farms in a larger region and in more open waters.

Mr Even T. Remøy, CEO of Remøy Management said, “We turned to Damen as
we have good experience with them. They were able to accommodate all the
requirements we had for our vessel.

Furthermore, they were able to offer us a very quick turnaround of the project
so that we could get underway with our operations in the quickest possible
timeframe.”

Co-founder of VOLT Service, Mr Robert Søviknes, has vast and broad
experience with cleaner fish services and delousing operations. He said, “With
the new vessel we will have a unique platform and a tool to provide the industry
with a cost efficient alternative due to increased mobility and a newly developed
total concept package for the services offered. The solutions are focused on
fish welfare”.

The standard design of the UV 4312 included a diesel-electric configuration,
providing an efficient, flexible power supply for the 750 kW propulsion
installation and for driving the deck equipment when moored within a farm.
Other features include a low freeboard, easy access to the waterline on both
sides, a large hold and removable railings for hose-handling operations.

The UV 4312 is open to customisation as the VOLT Processor will demonstrate.
Damen will tailor the vessel to the requirements of the client, which includes a
third crane, DP1, an increased bow thruster power, an extra generator set and
an ozone generator.

The low freeboard minimizes the height difference experienced by the fish
during pumping and delousing, which ensures a reduction of stress.
Accommodation is provided for up to ten persons in six cabins, plus galley and
mess room.

The flexibility of the design means that the vessel can be further equipped in
support of other aquaculture activities, such as installation and maintenance
works.