Nodosa shipyard in Spain has formalised an agreement for the construction of a new freezer trawler for Orion Fishing Company Ltd, a venture jointly-owned by Vigo’s Armadora Pereira SA and Malvinas, Falklands-based Argos Group Ltd.
The newbuild, construction number 306 at the shipyard, will be delivered to the Falklands at the end of 2024 – in time to carry out its first squid fishing campaign at the start of the following year.
With a length of 85 metres and a beam of 14 metres, this 2,500 gross tonnage vessel will be the largest unit commissioned by the shipowner to date. It will mainly be used for fishing and processing Patagonian squid in the Malvinas Islands fishing ground.
As well as improved crew safety and wellbeing features, respect for the environment and energy efficiency have been prioritised in this new unit, explained Nodosa.
The vessel’s hull shape is designed to optimise is behaviour at sea in adverse weather conditions and to reduce its fuel consumption.
This newbuild will also incorporate various elements to mitigate the incidental mortality of birds and other marine species.
Its processing plant will be equipped with means for freezing and processing different final product formats. Ammonia will be its main refrigerant.
