Síldarvinnslan’s trawler Barði sailed at the weekend for Akureyri where it is due to be refitted at the Slippstödinn yard.
The company’s freezer trawler Blængur returned recently from an extensive refit in Poland and is also at the Akureyri yard for its factory deck to be installed. With the two trawlers docked side-by-side, Barði’s freezers are to be transferred to Blængur, which is being refitted for palletised cargo in its refrigerated fishroom. Other fish handling and processing equipment is ready to be installed on Blængur’s processing deck.
Barði is to be fitted out to operate as a fresher trawler and icemakers are being installed. Barði is expected to be ready to start fishing in its new role as fresher trawler at the end of September.
As well as operating as a freezer, Blængur will also be able to store some catches boxed in ice to be landed fresh. Blængur is scheduled to be ready for sea in late October.
Síldavinnslan has made extensively re-organised its fleet, with veteran fresher trawler Bjartur sold and now on its way to Iran. Bjartur’s crew are switching to Barði, while Barði’s crew are moving across to Blængur.
