Freire to build state-of-the-art vessel in Vigo for Norwegian marine aquaculture
The unit, commissioned by Napier Group and financially supported by ICO, Banco Sabadell and Pymar, will process and transport salmon without any discharges into the sea. Its propulsion and auxiliary systems will comply with IMO Tier III standards
Freire Shipyard will build a state-of-the-art vessel for the Norwegian company Napier Group, designed for the collection, processing, and transport of salmon from marine farms. The project will be supported by PYMAR. The new vessel, construction number C-741, has been designed to avoid any discharge into the sea during operations and to minimise fuel consumption, in accordance with the most stringent environmental standards in the sector.
The vessel’s design will be developed by SALT Ship Design in close collaboration with Freire’s technical office and the shipowner’s team, incorporating Napier’s operational experience from the project phase onwards. On the financial side, the public–private partnership involves funding and guarantees from the Official Credit Institute (ICO), Banco Sabadell — acting as agent bank — and PYMAR, through guarantees provided by the Naval Guarantee Fund (FGN). This instrument includes participation from the Ministry of Industry and Tourism and the Regional Government of Galicia, among others, alongside private shipyards.
Technical Specifications and Sustainability
The vessel will measure 83.7 metres in length and 15.8 metres wide, achieving a maximum speed of 17 knots, and will be classified by DNV. In terms of environmental performance, both the main and auxiliary engines will comply with IMO Tier III standards on nitrogen oxide emissions. The vessel will also feature waste heat recovery systems and frequency converters in the main electrical equipment to enhance energy efficiency and reduce overall consumption. The on-board processing architecture has been designed to prevent spills and ensure a closed waste cycle during operations.
A Landmark Contract for Galician Shipbuilding Industry
This order consolidates Vigo’s position as a leading centre for the construction of highly complex, specialised vessels, engaging local engineering firms, equipment suppliers, and service providers. For Napier, the new vessel will enhance operational capacity while reducing its environmental footprint in a sector — salmon farming — that demands traceability, biosecurity, and efficiency in challenging marine environments.
For PYMAR, notes its CEO Ms. Almudena López del Pozo, the operation “demonstrates the capacity of Spanish shipyards to lead the construction of complex and innovative vessels, and reinforces our commitment to strengthening the competitiveness of the private shipbuilding sector.”
With this project, Freire adds a new milestone to its portfolio of technologically advanced vessels, while Spanish maritime cluster further consolidates its international position in a valuable niche: sustainable, turnkey solutions for the blue economy.
Source: Europa Azul