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When Cargill was building a new work boat, it was never relevant to build anything other than a future-oriented vessel that safeguards the working environment on board and reduces the environmental footprint.
The boat, which is a ProCat 1475, is now in daily operation in the charming fjord at the heart of Dirdal. The Cargill Innovation Center is located here, one of the world's leading research environments in seafood and fish health. Cargill is a leading supplier of feed and nutrition to the global aquaculture industry, and is committed to responsible and sustainable operations.
Promek, which was responsible for the boat building, has since 1989 produced over 220 customized aluminum boats for small and large customers along the Norwegian coast and abroad, mostly for the farming industry. Their goal has always been to safeguard the traditions and expertise that has been built up over the years, but at the same time extract the best from today's technology.
Cargill decided early on that the boat should be a hybrid and the choice fell on the Frydenbø Industri InLine hybrid. Frydenbø Industri took on the role of system supplier and has delivered a solution with engines from Iveco/FPT, HVP gear from Kumera AS, propeller system from Helset and battery system with automation from Praxis Automation Technology B.V, the Netherlands. The battery capacity is 240 kWh.
The innovative thing is that an electric motor is incorporated into the HVP gear without the construction dimensions of the gear being changed. This means that sailing boats with HVP gear can be converted to hybrid, without physically changing the line of propulsion.
After a few months in use, the feedback from the crew is overwhelming.
"I've got a completely new working day! Without really thinking about it, I used to work in a noisy environment that constantly smelled of diesel. Now we go out to the facilities with conventional propulsion, and then carry out all tasks fully electrically. Suddenly I can feel the smell and the sea and hear the seagulls screeching, wonderful!” Site manager from Cargill, Tormod Harboe.
We at Frydenbø Industri are proud and happy that the project became a reality. Without enthusiastic and skilled employees, forward-looking customers and highly competent partners, this would not have been possible.
This is just the beginning of the development of propulsion systems in the marine industry. Frydenbø Industri shall be the most competent and preferred partner in the green shift. We are on a team with our customers.
We are looking forward to the continuation!