A NZD$70m Simek-built trawler due to be delivered to Sealord at the end of this month will be the country’s first new deepwater fishery vessel in 20 years.
The purpose-built 82m long ‘frozen at sea’ trawler Tokatu was designed by Skipsteknisk and has 20,000t capacity, with a cargo capacity of around 2500 cbm.
The vessel will enable New Zealand-based Sealord to fish all its target species, including pelagic fish such as barracouta, squid and jack mackerel, something it was previously only able to do through chartering vessels, CEO Steve Yung previously commented.
Expected to bring operational efficiency, sustainability and 80 new local jobs, the vessel will process its catch while at sea and be equipped with new Precision Seafood Harvesting.
The ST-118 design vessel has an 5400Kw main engine, plus the ability to produce its own electricity via winch systems.
Sealord’s shareholders, Maori-owned Moana New Zealand (Aotearoa Fisheries Limited) and Japanese company Nippon Suisan Kaisha, Ltd (Nissui), part-funded the vessel purchase.
This is the first new vessel purchase by Sealord since 1996, when Sealord’s FV Rehua was purchased for New Zealand’s deepwater fishery.
Tokatu will travel from Simek’s shipyard in Norway to Nelson, New Zealand.
