Recognising how essential ice is to the functioning of the port’s fish nadling and sales, as well as to the fleet, the port of Lorient has invested heavily in ice production capacity.
At the port of Lorient Keroman, ice is available at three locations, with a facility at the auction’s entrance with three units producing 450kg/hour and a 4.5 tonne storage. But Sem Lorient-Keroman has put in substantial icemaking capacity to supply the wholesale trade and fishing vessels with the refurbished and modernised south tower.
Located on the Quai Michel-Tonnerre, this produces 2000kg/hour and has an overall storage capacity of 170 tonnes, supplied by a new system with two compressors, cooling circuits and operating on ammonia.
‘While it simplifies maintenance, this system allows us to be more efficient and reduce our water and electricity consumption,’ said technical manager Marc Poitrenaud.
Sem Lorient-Keroman procured €1.4 million for this project, which included a €940,000 grant from the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund.
To also supply wholesalers, Sem Lorient-Keroman has also pledged to a major upgrade at the port’s Magasin 71 facility.
‘As the demand varies according to the seasons and the species caught, there can be shortages of ice, which means bringing ice from the south tower, or rationing ice,’ Marc Poitrenaud said.
Production and storage capacities have been doubled, with a 1000kg/hour production rate and a storage capacity of 20 tonnes. The cost of this comes to €2 million, and includes a €500,000 EMFAF subsidy.
