The 15 metre catamaran fitted with Seafarm’s innovative net cleaning system recently completed sea trials with the owner’s representatives from Norway and will depart for the country later this month.

The Marine Inspector and Cleaner (MIC) net cleaning system first used in Tasmania is proving popular in the salmon and aquaculture sectors not just here but globally. Now operating in Australia, Denmark and Norway, with other customers already identified, the system is showing success internationally.

The catamaran was designed by Steve Quigley of the Sydney design firm One2Three Pty Ltd and constructed from marine grade aluminium by Incat in Hobart.

Construction of the catamaran commenced in May of this year, with the winning design chosen over others because of its wide beam, allowing space for facilities and crew berths onboard. The stability offered by the vessel will further ensure station keeping whilst net cleaning is underway.

Australia, along with Canada, Norway and Switzerland, achieved the highest ratings on the indicator, and had one of the most stable risk profiles. The results came from  an assessment of the economic, commercial, external and political risks of 131 countries around the world.

“Australia’s rating demonstrates that although the nation is facing a number of challenges, it is faring well compared to others amidst the current global economic crisis,” said D&B chief executive Christine Christian.

The rating will boost confidence for inbound investors, said Prime Minister Kevin Rudd: “This is good news in terms of international investors’ perceptions of doing business in Australia, and in particular investing in Australia.”

The institute, an organisation that aims to link peace with prosperity, has released a study alongside their annual Global Peace Index showing the effects of lost peace on the economy and vice versa.

“The reality is that the net economic benefit of peace to humanity is substantial, and governments and businesses should seriously consider how adopting practices and policies that promote peace helps their bottom line,” said Clyde McConaghy, who oversees the index at the institute. “It is this kind of thinking that the Institute for Economics and Peace will promote.”

Rising food and fuel prices, compounded by rising unemployment and financial anxiety, have led to “political repercussions that have been registered by the GPI through various indicators measuring safety and security in society,” says the study.

The index ranks New Zealand as the most peaceful nation on earth, followed by Scandinavian countries Denmark and Norway. Iraq remained on the bottom of the list, below Afghanistan and Somalia. Australia ranked 19 on the list of 144 countries.

Criteria include participation in wars, internal conflicts, respect for human rights, and the number of murders and prisoners per head of population.

See the Global Peace Index