The owners of Argentinian factory trawler Centurion del Atlantico brought their 118-metre vessel halfway around the world for a major refit at the Westcon Florø shipyard in Norway.
The Japanese-built trawler was the largest of its kind at one time, and now fishes in the Southern Atlantic for a variety of species that are processed on board.
The decision to undergo a refit was taken some years ago when The Norwegian Ship Design Company was chosen in 2021 by owners Estremar S.A.U. to plan and engineer the alterations, after which Westcon Florø was selected to carry out the work. Centurion del Atlantico arrived at the yard in July last year, and is now ready to head back to the South Atlantic.
The refit includes the installation of a completely new hybrid propulsion line, including new main engine, two-step hybrid gearbox and propeller in a nozzle. A battery system, power electronics and combined electric propulsion motor/shaft generator enables hybrid drive. An economiser in the main engine’s exhaust line has been installed for using waste heat to produce steam for the factory deck.
Centurion del Atlantico has also been outfitted with new deck equipment requiring less engine power when trawling.
The upgrade aligns well with Norwegian Ship Design’s commitment to low-emission and zero-emission technology and this upgrade results in a significantly reduced carbon footprint of more than 40%.
Norwegian Ship Design’s technical Director Arvid Holsen said that much of the design work was completed before the contract was signed with the shipyard.
‘Subsequently, we further developed the design and made preparations prior to the vessel’s arrival at the shipyard in Florø,’ he said.
‘During the conversion period, we have had a very good and close cooperation with both the owner and the shipyard. We are now working on the final documents for this refit and we wish Centurion del Atlantico a safe voyage back home to the southern hemisphere.’
