The primary US-built trawler-processor for Alaskan pollock in over three many years is now present process sea trials within the Northern Pacific, testing an built-in know-how bundle from Kongsberg Discovery tailor-made to find, examine, and have interaction fish with unparalleled effectivity.
The 100-meter-long Arctic Fjord, designed by Kongsberg Maritime and constructed by Louisiana’s Thoma-Sea Marine Constructor, will begin full-time operations for 2024’s pollock A season within the Bering Sea.
Talking forward of this week’s Pacific Marine Expo in Seattle, Washington, Kongsberg Discovery reveals that the vessel, which replaces Arctic Storm’s unique, 1974-built Arctic Fjord vessel, is outfitted with programs designed to optimize each effectivity and environmental efficiency.
This consists of: the SN90 multibeam sonar, which pinpoints colleges of, and particular person, fish; the ES80 sounder system, able to detailed fish inspections; and the FX80 stay digicam and DFS75 gear monitoring programs, exhibiting how nets are deployed and verifying the catch in real-time.
It is a mixture, says Jess Woodruff, Kongsberg Discovery’s Director, Marine Life Expertise USA, that helps and consolidates the vessel’s biggest power – its excessive effectivity.
Jess Woodruff Kongsberg Discovery’s Director, Marine Life Expertise USA – Credit score: Kongsberg
Subsequent technology efficiency
“The Arctic Fjord units a brand new benchmark for the Alaskan pollock fleet,” Woodruff feedback. “From its fuel-efficient design to the excellent crew lodging and state-of-the-art onboard processing services, each factor has been cherry picked to not simply do the job, however to do it to the very best potential requirements.
“In line with that spirit, Arctic Storm challenged us with delivering an built-in bundle that may enable the crew to maximise catch effectivity – decreasing each time on the water and vessel emissions – whereas working seamlessly inside the ship’s wider operational and processing parameters to optimize profitability. The result’s a next-generation trawler-processor that can ship glorious catches, excellent environmental efficiency, and a robust return on funding for this forward-thinking shipowner.”
Figuring out alternative
Brett Johnson, VP, Arctic Storm. Credit score: Kongsberg
Kongsberg Discovery has a protracted monitor document with Arctic Storm, supplying sonars, sounders, and trawl programs throughout the corporate’s hardworking fleet.
In line with Kongsberg, the know-how has discovered agency favor with crews, in a fishery pushed by bycatch discount, whereas nonetheless executing one of many largest wild-caught fisheries on this planet. The ES80 sounder system particularly excels on this respect, with a broad frequency spectrum (from 38 to 200 kHz) permitting for detailed evaluation of particular person fish and colleges, serving to establish each fish kind and dimension.
“We’ve got a wonderful relationship with Kongsberg Discovery and tremendously appreciated their help on this landmark construct mission,” feedback Brett Johnson, VP, Arctic Storm.
Elevating the bar
“It’s our ambition to boost the bar with our newbuilds, offering vessels that ship optimum outcomes for our stakeholders, whereas minimising their impacts on the environments the place they function. Effectivity is a central to attaining these goals, and Kongsberg Discovery’s superior options assist us pinpoint, establish and have interaction with our targets in a fashion that’s actually trade main. We see this as the way forward for sustainable fishing as we speak, and we’re delighted to proceed our partnership with their staff onboard the brand new Arctic Fjord.”
As soon as operational, Arctic Fjord will, along with producing pollock fillets, course of fish meal and fish oil, opening up beneficial new income streams for the Seattle-based fishing enterprise.
Design by Kongsberg Maritime
The Arctic Fjord is a Kongsberg Maritime NVC 336 WP trawler design. The vessel measures 99 x 21 meters and was Kongsberg’s first ever contract for a US constructed vessel. It is likely one of the largest fishing vessels designed by the corporate.
The vessel was constructed, in keeping with the Jones Act, on the Thoma-Sea yard in Louisiana. Key design options embody a wave-piercing bow, which reduces gasoline consumption and reduces slamming in tough seas. It has a crew capability of 152, which implies 48 cabins are included into the design – far more than typical Norwegian fillet trawlers.
Designed for trawling, the Arctic Fjord has excessive bollard pull of 110 tonnes, enabled by a single Bergen 7,200kW principal engine and a Kongsberg Maritime Promas Innoduct propeller of 4200mm diameter. The vessel additionally incorporates a Kongsberg tunnel thruster to help maneuverability and a variety of Kongsberg deck equipment.
