VESSEL REVIEW | Atlantic Enterprise – Large shrimp and halibut factory trawler for Ocean Prawns’ Canada operations

Clearwater Ocean Prawns Venture (COPV), a joint venture formed by Danish fishing company Ocean Prawns and Canada's Clearwater Seafoods, has expanded its fleet with the recent acquisition of a new deep-sea-capable factory trawler designed by Norwegian naval architecture firm Skipsteknisk.

The DNV-classed, Polar Coded trawler Atlantic Enterprise measures 83.2 by 18 metres and is equipped primarily for catching and processing shrimp and Greenland halibut in Arctic waters. The freezer hold has a total capacity of 3,000 cubic metres across two decks and includes space for pallets. Ocean Prawns said the vessel will be capable of landing around 1,200 tonnes of pre-packaged, sea-frozen coldwater prawns each trip and around 2,500 tonnes of halibut per year.

A 7,350kW IMO Tier III-compliant engine will deliver a cruising speed of 16 knots. Auxiliary power is available in the form of two Yanmar 6EY22ALW 1,440kW generators. In compliance to Polar Code requirements, the propulsion machinery is also fitted with catalytic converters.

The Carsoe shrimp factory equipment consists of four tunnel freezers with an estimated output of 25 tonnes every 24 hours, two horizontal auto plate freezers that can process 35 tonnes every 24 hours, and an automatic packaging system. Robotic systems have also been fitted to minimise risk during catch handling and to reduce personnel requirements.

Two processing lines are installed to maximise the output on each trip, allowing quotas to be fulfilled within a shorter timeframe. After the frozen catch is palletised, the shrimp and the halibut are stored separately, thus eliminating the need for manual sorting whether on board or ashore.

The accommodation spaces for the 28-strong crew include cabins with a total of 35 berths and a medical bay that can house two patients.

Atlantic Enterprise is the third Skipsteknisk-designed vessel to join the Ocean Prawns fleet. It will sail under the Canadian flag and will operate in the North Atlantic Ocean, where it will focus on shrimp from October to April and Greenland halibut for the remainder of each year.