Damen completes Eidsvaag conversion

Damen was required to extend the Eidsvaag Opal vessel by 5m. This involved cutting the hull in two and inserting in new steel sections. The beam of the vessel was also widened using a series of side boxes to give additional stability and cargo capacity.

35 new silos and a big bag hold were integrated into the vessel, enabling Eidsvaag Opal to transport up to 2,800t of fish feed. Damen also outfitted the vessel with five new cranes and a discharge system of conveyors, buckets, elevators and a discharge arm.

Electrical work

FMJ Marine Automation removed some 480 cables (approximately 15km) from the old cargo systems alone. In total, the company pulled 51km of cable and connected 1,237 cables on the project. 875t of steel work was also carried out with Damen’s specialist steel fabricator, Niron Staal.

The first system test involved Eidsvaag Opal carrying 180t of feed in the silo and 55t in big bags. Loading went well, requiring only small adjustments to the loading equipment in the big bag room. The feed was unloaded at a fish farm close to Tromsø. The second test saw some 700t transported.

The vessel will operate in the Fjordfrende collaboration, operated by Eidsvaag for Skretting and Cargill, which are collaborating in outbound logistics to increase sustainability and efficiency in the aquaculture industry.