VESSEL REVIEW | Orion – Versatile freezer trawler for operation in Russia's northern waters

Otradnoye Shipyard in Russia has handed over a new freezer trawler to parent company the Norebo Group.

Orion (Орион) is the first unit to be built under the Project 1701 series of fishing vessels, which have been designed to be capable of both bottom trawling and pelagic trawling.

Design work on the vessel was undertaken in compliance with the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping’s ice class and unlimited navigation area requirements.

Construction of the first two Project 1701 vessels began in 2019 at Russia's Pella Shipyard, which was later acquired by the Norebo Group and has since been renamed Otradnoye Shipyard. This was in fulfilment of an order by a different customer, though Orion – which was then known by the name Skorpion – and sister vessel Lev were only finally delivered in late 2024.

Significant transport and processing capacities

Orion has a length of 61.04 metres (200 feet), a beam of 14 metres (46 feet), a depth of 8.8 metres (29 feet), a displacement of 3,100 tonnes, a gross tonnage of 2,342, and accommodation for up to 40 crewmembers and fish factory personnel.

The fish hold has a total capacity of approximately 1,200 cubic metres (42,000 cubic feet) and a freezing capacity of up to 70 tonnes per day.

Designed for operation in higher latitudes

A 1,618kW (2,170hp) main engine will propel the vessel to a top speed of 13.5 knots. The onboard equipment meanwhile includes a crane with a four-tonne lifting capacity and a 16-metre (52-foot) boom.

Orion is homeported in Murmansk and is being operated by Norebo subsidiary Strelets. The trawler will focus on catching cod, haddock, saithe, halibut, catfish, flounder and perch in Russia's northern waters.