Vigo, Argentinia-based Pesantar, a fishing company specializing in Patagonian toothfish, has commissioned a new vessel with support from main shareholders Argentinia-based Newsan and Spain-based Profand.
The vessel will be a state-of-the-art freezer trawler, designed to catch Patagonian toothfish and other Argentine species. Spanish shipyard Nosaw will design and build the ship, which is set to be 85 meters long and have a daily production capacity of up to 80,000 kilograms. The company said it expects that the improvement will increase annual exports by 15 percent.
The highly efficient vessel design features energy recovery systems which will allow it to reduce fuel usage, and optimized fishing gear that will allow for target catch of specific species. The company said the modern design is expected to increase operating days, improve catch quality, and reduce carbon footprint and operating costs. The project will further optimize catch by including a fishmeal plant and advanced freezing system.
The vessel is set to replace the B/P Echizen Maru, a key vessel in the Pesantar fleet.
In 2021, Pesantar was one of four Patagonian toothfish harvesters who worked together to get MSC certification for the fishery.
