Nueva Pescanova takes delivery of freezer trawler for Mozambique operations

Spanish seafood company Nueva Pescanova Group has taken delivery of a new freezer beam trawler for use in its operations in Mozambique.

Classed by Bureau Veritas and built by Armon Shipyard, Ponta Timbué has an LOA of 32.1 metres, energy-efficient engines with a total output of 700 kW, and ILO-compliant accommodations for up to 22 crewmembers.

The vessel is also equipped with a bycatch and waste separation area, a product cooling system, a water and air washer, and an electronic management system that will help the crew adjust vessel operations to ensure reduced emissions. The deck machinery has also been laid out in such a way that lifting and pulling of trawl nets can be done more quickly, thus minimising crew exposure on deck.

Nueva Pescanova said virtual reality was used in the vessel’s development to allow designers to visualise the interior beforehand and ensure a more efficient construction process.

Ponta Timbué will be operated by Nueva Pescanova’s Mozambique subsidiary Pescamar. It will also serve as a training vessel under the company’s maritime fisheries training program in collaboration with the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation and other partners.

The vessel has since departed for Mozambique and will soon commence prawn fishing activities.