Ship of the Year 2020 goes to a type of vessel where Norway is a world leader in both technology and design, said Minister of Fisheries and Seafood Odd Emil Ingebrigtsen when he handed out the prestigious award in Bergen today.
– The well-boat fleet continues forward, and this year’s winner shows that there is a focus on lower emissions and increased safety, says Ingebrigtsen, and praised the founder of the shipping company Rostein; Odd Einar Sandøy, as one of the pioneers of this industry.
The wellboat “Ro Vision” was ordered by Rostein AS and built by Larsnes Mek. Verksted AS and designed by Skipskompetanse AS.
– We have operated with well-boats for 32 years, and in those years have built 25 new vessels. It has been an adventurous development for us. Topping this by first being nominated, and then winning, is fantastic, says shipowner Odd Einar Sandøy in Rostein.
This year’s Ship of the Year has a hybrid propulsion solution, and is equipped with the latest technology for this type of ship, says the jury’s leader, editor-in-chief of Skipsrevyen Gustav-Erik Blaalid. “Ro Vison” will be the standard for the company’s new buildings. Later, it may be relevant to rebuild existing vessels in accordance with this standard. Thus, the total environmental benefit will be great, says Blaalid. At the same time, the award is a great recognition to the well-boat industry, which has produced Norwegian ship technology and design to become a world leader, says Blaalid.
-From the yard’s point of view, this is incredibly nice. It shows that our employees build world-class boats! We have had a very good collaboration with Rostein for more than 11 years. If it was great to be nominated, then it is even more fun to win, says CEO Jarle Gunnarstein at Larsnes Mek.
– It is great recognition for us that a vessel we have designed wins this award. I think it was high time that a well-boat was nominated. “Ro Vision” shows what a great development there has been in the well-boat industry, says General Manager Per Jørgen Silden in Skipskompetanse.
Ship of the year is the industry’s most prestigious expert jury for Norwegian ship technology and innovation. The prize is awarded annually to a Norwegian-built ship at a Norwegian shipyard. It is Skipsrevyen’s readers who each year nominate the candidates for this year’s ship and it is a professional jury that makes the selection. The Ship Review’s partners for Ship of the year are NME (Norwegian Maritime Exporters, NTNU (Norwegian University of Science and Technology), the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association, Norwegian Industry, Maritime Bergen, Norwegian Shipyards, and the Maritime Forum.