St Johns company Ocean Choice International has announced the order for a new trawler to be built at the Tersan shipyard in Turkey with a December 2019 delivery date.
Ocean Choice went to Norwegian naval architect Skipsteknisk for the new trawler’s design. Construction will take place at Tersan, and the new vessel’s factory deck is being designed and built in Newfoundland and Labrador.
According to Ocean Choice, the new Arctic class fishing vessel will generate 70 new jobs and represents a major investment in the province’s fishing sector that results in significant new direct year-round job creation as well as indirect opportunities for the local service sector.
‘The advanced technologies onboard will maximise yield, while minimising processing times, ensuring Ocean Choice continues to deliver the highest quality products in the world. The addition of this modern vessel illustrates Ocean Choice’s long-term commitment to Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Ocean Choice CEO Martin Sullivan.
‘We are dedicated to growing our seafood business responsibly, and this strengthens our ability to provide superior quality product that our customers have come to expect, while minimising our impact on the environment. This is an investment in our province’s fishery, and its future.’
He commented that the new vessel incorporates a number of green features and demonstrates the company’s dedication to safe and environmentally-responsible operations as more than 90% of Ocean Choice seafood is either MSC certified or comes under a robust Fishery Improvement Programme.
‘It’s an exciting day for everyone here at Ocean Choice, including our 1700 employees across the province and the many local suppliers we work with,’ said Ocean Choice president Blaine Sullivan.
‘The broad suite of technology and energy efficiency investments in this vessel will contribute to the introduction of one of the most modern and efficient fishing vessels in the Canadian fleet.’
