Norwegian krill processor Rimfrost has awarded a contract to Westcon for the building of a new krill fishing vessel worth more than NOK1 billion.
The 120m vessel has been designed by Kongsberg Maritime using green technology and satisfies such standards as the DNV GL Clean Design class notation and the IMO’s Polar Code, where all processes are planned to minimise emissions and achieve extensive energy reuse.
“This is a happy day,” said Rimfrost principal shareholder, Stig Remøy. “We’ve worked for a long time with Norwegian specialists to develop technology which will set a completely new standard for krill fishing in Antarctica in terms of climate-friendliness, sustainability and resource utilisation.”
Rimfrost has collaborated closely with Norway-based Westcon and the world-leading maritime cluster in western Norway’s Sunnmøre region over the choice and design of technology and equipment.
In addition to the environmental measures related to vessel operation, assessments by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources show that raw material use will be significantly higher than for Rimfrost’s competitors, with the processes using much less energy.
The vessel is expected to be ready for use in 2022 and Rimfrost has an option for a further ship. In awarding krill licences, the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries takes into account the emphasis on environmental and innovation considerations and has concluded that Rimfrost had the best application accordingly.
