The Freire yard in Vigo has launched freezer trawler Saputi II for Canadian company Qikiqtaaluk Fisheries Corporation.
The 79-metre, 17-metre beam Saputi II is set to replace the older Saputi, and brings with it a significantly increased carrying capacity of 750 tonnes of frozen shimp or 1100 tonnes of Greenland halibut. The current Saputi can hold 580 tonnes of shrimp or 900 tonnes of Greenland halibut.
Designed by Skipsteknisk and supported by Allswater Marine Consultants, the new vessel will play a key role in the sustainable harvesting of shrimp and Greenland halibut in waters between Greenland and Canada.
‘We are proud to introduce the Saputi II to our fleet,’ said Harry Flaherty, President and CEO of Qikiqtaaluk Fisheries Corporation.
‘This vessel will not only improve our operational efficiency but also support our efforts to protect marine ecosystems.’
Saputi II is designed for a crew of up to 34, and is being outfitted with a high-efficiency, low-emission Wärtsilä engine. A key innovation is the inclusion of the latest automated systems to handle sorting and cooking, freezing and robotic palletising processes. This is aimed at maximising the efficiency of work flows, providing optimal working conditions for the crew and preserving product freshness.
‘A year ago, we had the tremendous honour of laying the commemorative coin on behalf of Qikiqtaaluk Fisheries and the people of Nunavut during the keel-laying ceremony. Today, we are proud and grateful for the hard work of everyone who has brought us to this milestone, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration with Freire Shipyard to deliver the Saputi II on behalf of Qikiqtaaluk Fisheries,’ said Carl Sullivan, COO and Naval Architect at Allswater Canada.
‘We are pleased to be part of this project, which represents a significant step forward for Qikiqtaaluk Fisheries Corporation and a milestone in the fishing industry, promoting the sustainable development of shrimp and Greenland halibut fishing in Arctic waters,’ commented Marcos and Guillermo Freire, general managers of the shipyard.
Qikiqtaaluk Fisheries Corporation (QFC) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of QC, an Inuit birthright development corporation created by the Qikiqtani Inuit Association. With a history spanning 40 years in the Qikiqtani Region, QFC’s mission is to provide employment and financial opportunities for Inuit in the region. QFC owns and operates the multi-species factory freezer vessels Saputi and soon Saputi II, both of which operate in the Qikiqtani Region, harvesting offshore shrimp and turbot/halibut.
