The first US-built trawler-processor in more than thirty years for the Alaska pollock fishery is currently conducting its sea trials in the Pacific North-West.
The 99-metre overall length, 21-metre beam Arctic Fjord has been built by Thoma-Sea Marine Constructor to an NVC335WP design developed by Kongsberg Maritime and it’s expected to begin fishing during the 2024 A season in the Bering Sea.
‘It is our ambition to raise the bar with our newbuilds, providing vessels that deliver optimal results for our stakeholders, while minimising their impacts on the environments where they operate,’ said Arctic Storm’s VP Brett Johnson.
‘Efficiency is a central to achieving those objectives. We see this as the future of sustainable fishing today.’
The design incorporates a wave-piercing bow and accommodation with 48 cabins for the up to 152 crew members needed to run the sophisticated processing setup on board.
Arctic Fjord has a bollard pull of 110 tonnes, powered by a 7200kW Bergen main engine and a 4200mm diameter Kongsberg Maritime Promas Innoduct propeller. Kongsberg also supplied the tunnel thruster, plus a package of deck machinery.
Also from Kongsberg are the SN90 multibeam sonar and ES80 sounder system, plus the FX80 live camera and DFS75 gear monitoring systems.
This new vessel replaces operating company Arctic Storm’s previous Arctic Fjord which dates back to 1974. One of Kongsberg Maritime’s largest fishing vessel designs, this is also the company’s first contract for a US-built vessel, which has been constructed in line with the requirements of the Jones Act.
‘Arctic Fjord sets a new benchmark for the Alaskan pollock fleet,’ said Jess Woodruff, Kongsberg Discovery’s director, Marine Life Technology USA.
‘Arctic Storm challenged us with delivering an integrated package that would allow the crew to maximise catch efficiency – reducing both time on the water and vessel emissions – while working seamlessly within the ship’s wider operational and processing parameters to optimise profitability. The result is a next generation trawler-processor that will deliver excellent catches, outstanding environmental performance, and a strong return on investment for this forward-thinking shipowner.’
