Pelagic processing solutions

As the processing systems are fully automatic, the manual work for personnel has been eliminated – they are now only required to inspect and control the systems.

In September, Skaginn delivered a pelagic processing system to HB-Grandi at Vopnafjordur in Iceland. This system is to be fully operational by the end of the month and is the largest system that Skaginn has delivered so far. When fully operational it will have the capacity of about 500MT/24h. This system includes eight freezers, three automatic bag/packing machines, and three palletising systems.

Early this year Skaginn delivered a new pelagic processing system to the company Saltver ehf in Reykjanesbaer, Iceland and last year Skaginn delivered a new processing system to Skinney Thinganes hf located on the east cost of Iceland. Both companies are experienced producers of pelagic products such as herring (whole and fillets) and capelin.

The system delivered to Saltver includes two fully automatic weighing and packing systems, two fully automatic Samifi plate freezers and an automatic palletising system.

The system delivered to Skinney includes three fully automatic weighing and packing systems. Each weighing system has capacity of eight portions/minute and with 13kg portions the capacity is approximately 140MT/24h each system. At Skinney the system is integrated to the existing processing system with automatic plate freezers and an automatic palletising system, which was previously delivered by Skaginn.

Guidelines for the automatic pelagic processing systems are as follows:

• Maximum capacity and production efficiency with use of minimal floor space

• Gentle handling in all processing stages and freezing with minimal pressure on the product

• Minimal give-away weight and minimum packing costs are secured

• Operators only inspect and service the equipment, minimising labour costs

• The system is built on well known and proved solutions with maximum security, minimising break-down time

Skaginn also offers total solutions for vessels with on-board pelagic processing for human consumption. These systems include high efficiency equipment for weighing, packing and handling with a high degree of automation. The newest development is palletising the products on-board for easy handling and saving time when landing. The palletising system and the new product elevator from Skaginn makes it easy to handle fully loaded pallets wrapped in plastic on-board, stored in the hold on pallets saving time and effort when landing.