Hydroniq Coolers wins wellboat contracts
Hydroniq Coolers is to supply hull-integrated seawater cooling systems for five new live fish carriers under construction
Ålesund-based Hydroniq Coolers has secured contracts to supply marine cooling systems for five live fish carriers under construction for European wellboat operators.
The vessels are being built at an undisclosed shipyard, with Hydroniq Coolers providing its hull-integrated ‘Rack’ seawater cooling system for all five ships. The contracts underline continued newbuilding activity in the wellboat market and growing demand for space-saving, energy-efficient cooling solutions.
“There is decent newbuilding activity in the wellboat market, and we are benefitting from that,” said Jan Inge Johannesen, sales manager at Hydroniq Coolers. “We know that our hull-integrated solution is particularly well suited to vessels carrying heavy loads and operating at low speeds, which is typical for wellboats.”
The Rack system is installed into the vessel’s hull beneath the main engine room. It uses seawater to cool the main engine and auxiliary systems while avoiding the need to occupy valuable engine-room space.
The arrangement is particularly suited to wellboats, which can operate under demanding conditions while carrying substantial live-fish loads. Hydroniq also says the system can be cleaned and maintained by crews while vessels are at sea, potentially reducing maintenance disruption.
Energy efficiency is another selling point as shipowners and yards face increasing pressure to reduce fuel consumption and improve vessel operating performance.
“In addition, our system is energy efficient, something that both shipyards and vessel owners are increasingly focused on,” Johannesen said.
Hydroniq Coolers will manufacture and assemble the five seawater cooling systems at its headquarters in Ellingsøy, outside Ålesund, Norway.
The company has not disclosed the identity of the shipyard involved or the European wellboat operators commissioning the vessels. Contract values have also not been released.
The orders come as the live-fish carrier market continues to generate newbuilding demand, providing opportunities for suppliers specialising in equipment designed around the operational requirements of wellboats.
