China’s Fujian Mawei Shipbuilding has delivered two new purse seining vessels in a series ordered by local seafood company Zhejiang Ocean Family.
Kibena 6 and Kibena 7 each have an LOA of 76.73 metres, a beam of 13.5 metres, a design draught of 4.75 metres, a moulded depth of 7.7 metres, a gross tonnage of 1,848, and space for 38 crewmembers. The fish hold on each vessel has a total capacity of approximately 1,880 cubic metres and utilises an environment friendly refrigerant that can maintain temperatures as low as minus 18 degrees Celsius.
The vessels’ size enables the integration of a helicopter platform, while the electronics include a Doppler sonar, an S-band seabird radar, a solar radio buoy, a fishery remote sensing system, and a fish finder with colour display.
The main engine of each vessel has a rated output of 2,720 kW, which can deliver a free running speed of 15.6 knots.
Kibena 6 and Kibena 7 are registered to Kiribati and will be operated by Kiribati Tuna Fishing on behalf of Zhejiang Ocean Family.