The Zamakona shipyard in Spain has delivered a second tuna purse seiner to Omani fishing venture Al Wusta Fisheries, a subsidiary of the state-owned Fisheries Development Oman. This is a sister vessel to Acila, which was delivered last year.
Designed by Cintranaval, the 84.70-metre Adamas has an 1800 cubic metre capacity in its 16 wells, designed to freeze catches to -20°C, in addition to being outfitted with a handling line and freezing tunnels for extra high-quality production frozen to -60°. The two forward wells are prepared for storage at -55°C.
Adamas and Acila are expected to catch around 20,000 tonnes of tuna annually, providing Oman with opportunities to extend its fishing activities in international waters. The two purse seiners are fitted with Wärsilä propulsion, each with a 4640kW Wärtsilä 8L32 main engine driving a Reintjes-Berg controllable pitch propeller. Side thrusters are 300kW Schottel units. Electrical power is provided by the 2250kVa Nidec-Leroy Sommer shaft generator, in addition to which each vessel has pair of GuascorEnergy 1250kVa SF480TA-SG engines.
Adamas is equipped to deploy a 2100 metre purse seine with a depth of 280 metres, with a a hydraulic Marco deck machinery installation supplied by TH Company.
Accommodation on board is provided for a crew up to 43 in three suite cabins, eight single cabins with ensuite facilities, four basic individual 14 two-berth cabins with shared facilities, plus a sick bay. The cabins and the galley, mess areas and other crew spaces are air-conditioned. The layout also includes a safe room, with access to this via the prayer room and made as discreet as possible.
Fisheries are being built up by Oman, which sees the sector as being second only to oil as a source of revenue. The state-owned Al Wusta Fisheries Industries is already active in other fisheries sectors and operates a number of factory vessels fishing for small pelagics.
The project to develop tuna fisheries with the new purse seine vessels is part of the Omani Ministry of Fisheries’ strategic Vision 2040 plan to develop the fisheries sector as a whole, aiming to increase fisheries production to supply both domestic and export markets.
