A new factory freezer trawler has been delivered to German fishing company DFFU by Norwegian shipbuilder Vard, and the new Berlin NC-107 will be starting its first trip in a few days following the handover at Brattvaag.
The delivery of the 84.40-metre Berlin is the culmination of a two-year design and construction process, with the steelwork completed at Vard’s Braila facility in Romania and brought to Brattvaag for outfitting. Berlin is built to a VARD 8 03 design and has a highly sophisticated factory deck supplied by Optimar for processing both whitefish and shrimp.
The processing line for groundfish has a pair of Vélfag heading machines, filleting machines from Vélfag and Breivik, and a Marel water-jet portioning machine. Slippurinn supplied grading technology and a Sepamatic produces boneless mince from heads and offal for feed production and a human consumption-grade of mince is produced from backbones and offcuts. Skin is graded out and frozen separately for producing collagen. A system of ensilage tanks ensures that catches are fully utilised.
The production shrimp line has a Style grader and two Carsoe cookers. Shrimp are individually quick frozen for a ready-for-consumption product.
The factory layout uses a high level of automation, with production automatically passing via freezing hotel to the refrigerated fishroom. Berlin’s design incorporates an emphasis on minimising heavy lifting, and optimising both working and living conditions, with roomy accommodation designed for the best possible crew wellbeing.
Berlin’s propulsion starts with a 5400kW Bergen B33:45L9 main engine driving a 4000mm diameter propeller. Energy for the ship’s systems is generated by a 2500kW shaft generator and a 1785kW Caterpillar genset, coupled with a battery pack.
‘The delivery of Berlin NC-107 is pivotal for DFFU, and VARD has done an excellent job. Over the years, VARD has built several technologically advanced vessels, consistently meeting the highest standard with their craftsmanship and innovation. Berlin NC-107 is equipped with advanced technical solutions from trusted partners,’ said Baldvin Thorsteinsson, one of DFFU’s managing directors.
‘A significant change with this new vessel is its shrimp catching and processing capabilities, enlarging the portfolio of products produced on board,’ commented his co-MD Samuel Rodriguez.
‘The production of whitefish has also been upgraded with new equipment, which increases options in production and expands our product range. The technology and equipment on board will enable us to bring 100% of the catch to shore. This supports our goal of increased value creation at sea and directly aligns with our sustainability efforts.’
