An event held in Cape Town has celebrated the registration and certification of freezer trawler Santa Princesa as a significant investment in South Africa’s deep-sea trawl fishery.
Acquired by Iberconsa through shipbroker Albino Moran, Santa Princesa replaces Umzabalazo and will catch the allocations of Mayibuye Fishing, Ntshonalanga Fishing and Khoi Qwa Fishing Development Company.
Built in Norway in 1987, the 65.50-metre Santa Princesa has undergone extensive upgrades and refurbishment ahead of beginning operations in South Africa’s trawl fishery for hake, including an extensive modernisaton of its catch-handling deck.
It forms part of a broader wave of investment in fleet renewal and modernisation following the allocation of long-term rights in 2022. A number of rights holders in South Africa’s deep sea trawl industry have invested heavily in modernising fishing assets, with a strong focus on safety, efficiency, product quality and improved living conditions for crew.
Santa Princesa is certified to carry a crew of 65, including 48 factory workers. Particular attention has been given to the onboard living environment, with accommodation and facilities designed to support crew welfare during extended periods at sea.
Industry representatives attending the ceremony noted that investments of this nature are essential not only for operational performance, but also for sustaining employment, maintaining high safety standards and ensuring the long-term resilience of the fishery.
South Africa’s hake trawl fishery is South Africa’s most valuable fishery and has maintained Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification since 2004. Fleet renewal and vessel upgrading form part of the industry’s ongoing commitment to responsible fishing and long-term sustainability.
