ULSTEIN THOR for Ocean Harvesting
In 2023, ULSTEIN launched the ULSTEIN THOR for Ocean Harvesting, inspired by the replenishment, research, and rescue vessel concept design ULSTEIN THOR which was released the previous year. ULSTEIN THOR for Ocean Harvesting is 180-meter-long vessel powered by thorium and functions as a biomass factory, floating power station and research lab.
Innovative approaches to sustainable fishing and biomass harvesting
With the world’s population expanding at a rapid pace, it is becoming ever more crucial to manage our resources efficiently and seek out alternative options. This is particularly true when it comes to meeting the rising demand for protein. Conventional fishing practices, in which a single vessel undertakes catching, processing, packaging, freezing and transporting the catch, are now being re-evaluated in favour of more sustainable and effective methods.
By breaking down these operations and allocating them to purpose-built vessels, we can substantially improve the performance of each vessel involved. For example, a compact, short-range fishing vessel may be dedicated solely to catching and initial storage, while a larger, semi-stationary fish factory ship can oversee advanced processing, packaging for consumers, and freezing. Furthermore, a refrigerated transport vessel can be tasked with delivering the final product to shore for distribution and bringing necessary supplies back to the offshore fleet.
Key features & benefits
- Continuous operation
- Large factory vessels can operate continuously by receiving fish from multiple smaller fishing vessels.
- Green energy
- Molten Salt Reactors (MSRs) provide massive amounts of green energy, converting high-temperature heat into electricity.
- Versatile heat use
- MSRs act as large "heat batteries," providing heating, ventilation, hot water, and spa services on fish factory vessels.
- Fresh water generation
- MSRs enable fresh water generation through the Reverse Osmosis process on fish factory vessels.
- Comprehensive support
- Cable transfer drones and autonomous surface vehicles enable safe and efficient charging and replenishment without manual intervention.
A semi-stationary fish factory vessel equipped with an MSR could provide numerous services to smaller fishing vessels, including energy in the form of electric charging or fuel transfer produced on the factory vessel.- Being a hub for existing fishing vessels, here showing a crew transfer operation.
- Charging full electric autonomous fishing drones
- Unloading catch to base vessel ULSTEIN THOR
- Delivering processed protein to autonomous transport vessel.
Main characteristics
- Length overall: 180 m
- Breadth: 34 m
- Depth to freeboard deck: 12.5 m
- Depth to working deck: 15.7 m
- Draught, max (swl): 9.5 m
- Draught, design: 8.0 m
Let’s talk. We’re here to help.
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Øyvind Gjerde Kamsvåg
- Description
- Chief Designer
- Affiliation
- Ulstein International AS