Contracts signed to equip new vessels

The two contracts for Engey RE, Akurey AK and Viðey RE are for handling deck equipment and for an automated tub transport system.

The contracts are based on detailed research and development of handling deck and fishroom systems with the aim of achieving significant improvements in yield and quality, while also minimising costs and improving crew working conditions. The handling deck systems are designed with particular emphasis on facilities for utilising offal, liver and roe.

Handling deck systems
The trawlers’ handling deck systems are based on Skaginn and 3X Technology innovation, created in cooperation with the industry itself and research bodies Matís and Iceprotein.

The main features of the handling deck systems are:

• High capacity bleeding and gutting lines ensuring improved handling of the fish
• Analytical technology capable of automatically grading fish by species and weight
• A two-stage Rotex bleeding process that ensures effective bleeding and optimum quality
• A two-stage Rotex chilling process to extend and improve freshness
• Automatic grading and a Rotex chilling process for redfish
• Handling and chilling for roe, liver and offal takes place in a Rotex process
• Fish to be placed in tubs and on the processing deck

“The handling deck systems are based on our ongoing development of Rotex bleeding and chilling systems that most of the fleet now uses. Rotex technology ensures seamless and correct handling”, said Albert Högnason, product development manager at 3X Technology.

Automatic tub transport
A new and innovative automated transport system for tubs is expected to change catch handling significantly and to improve conditions and working practices for crew. This is a co-operative development project by the companies that has been designed with HB Grandi’s technical department and Nautic, which designed the trawlers.

The primary advantages offered by the transport system include: an unmanned fishroom system; automatic delivery of empty tubs from the fishroom to the handling deck; tubs to be filled and finished on the handling deck; and automatic transport of tubs from the handling deck and stacking in the fishroom. The fishroom inventory is maintained automatically, as well as automatic loading and discharge.

Now that contracts have been signed, production can start on a prototype transport system and the time between now and the delivery of the first new vessel will be used to test it at Skaginn’s premises. The first new trawler, Engey RE, is scheduled to be delivered in the late summer of 2016.

“It’s a huge commendation that HB Grandi has chosen our ambitious and in many ways revolutionary systems for its new vessels and this is a confirmation of our innovation and development work in recent years. We have long had a very fruitful relationship with HB Grandi, including in development, and that relationship has been confirmed with these contracts. We’re clearly doing something right”, said Skaginn/3X Technology managing director Ingólfur Árnason.