VESSEL REVIEW | Akraberg – Shrimp and whitefish factory trawler for Faroese operator

Norwegian shipyard Vard has handed over a new factory trawler to Faroe Islands-based fishing company Framherji.

Akraberg has an LOA of 84 metres, a moulded beam of 16.7 metres, a maximum draught of 6.9 metres, and a gross tonnage of 2,968. Construction of the hull was done at Vard Braila in Romania while completion took place at Vard Brattvaag. Design work was provided by Vard Design.

The vessel will specialise in fishing for and processing of shrimp and whitefish. Equipment for both bottom trawling and semi-pelagic trawling are installed. To ensure premium quality catch, the fish handling arrangement includes live tanks, an advanced fish factory with a processing capacity of 100 tonnes per day, 830 cubic metres of hold space for both refrigerated and frozen products, and 550-cubic-metre ensilage tanks for the processing of biomass ashore.

Vard said that Akraberg is also one of the first stern trawlers outfitted with Vard Electro's proprietary energy storage system. This battery system can be recharged through the permanent-magnet regenerative trawl winches. It can also seamlessly integrate with the vessel's hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system, which in turn minimises fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Further improving overall efficiency is a heat recovery system.

A Hydroniq seawater cooler provides keel cooling for the propulsion system.

With an ice-strengthened hull and propulsion system, the vessel is compliant with DNV's Silent F notation. Seaonics meanwhile provided a deck equipment package that includes cranes, winches, a net drum, and ice gallows.

Accommodations are available for 25 crew and processing personnel. Amenities include a day room, a mess, a gym, and cabins with low-noise paneling.