Longline and auto baiting system designers and manufacturers Fiskevegn A/S in Norway have recently been selected by Australia’s Austral Fisheries to produce a 62,000-hook BFG autoline system for the firm’s new 66.90 metre vessel Cape Arkona which will be delivered in April 2020.
Austral Fisheries have previously used Fiskevegn’s equipment on some of their other vessels that operate in longline fisheries for Patagonian toothfish but this latest contract is a strong show of faith in the quality of Fiskevegn as the new BFG system will be going on board what will be a unique vessel in that it will be the world’s first vessel to be rigged for longlining, trawling and potting.R03;R03;
Fiskevegn have played a vital role in the success of Austral Fisheries for some years, since their first project in 2008 when Austral’s 53 metre Austral Leader II was converted from a purse seiner to a longliner, a project later followed in 2013 with the rebuilt Atlas Cove fitted with Fiskevegn’s autolining systems.
‘These vessels were fitted with our BFG autoline systems and it has been the continuing successful performance of this high-quality equipment that has resulted in Austral Fisheries choosing Fiskevegn for this new project,, explained sales and marketing manager Jakob Hals, adding that Fiskevegn are very proud that Austral has selected the Norwegian autoline experts for this exciting new project.
‘We are delighted that we will be playing a major role in this vessel which will be setting a new standard in fishing vessels with its unique triple purpose capabilities,’ he said.
The Norwegian connection
The co-operation between Austral Fisheries and Norway goes beyond just signing a contract for the supply of equipment – the Australian company is placing its trust in complete Norwegian technology for the new Cape Arkona.
Designed by Skipskompetanse and to be built at the Båtbygg Shipyard, and in combination with installations by Fiskevegn, this makes it a triple contract for the Norwegian port of Måløy where all three of these companies are based. These three companies are all part of the Måløy Maritime Group (MMG), a regional clsuter that provides close co-operation in offering complete solutions for customers.
