September 01, 2016
New trawler for Sealord
Sealord has turned to Norwegian shipbuilder Simek to build a new $70 million deepwater fishing vessel.
Chief executive Steve Yung says the first new vessel for the country’s deepwater fishery in 20 years, since Sealord’s FV Rehua.
He says the decision shows the commitment to the long term viability of the business by the company’s shareholders, Maori owned Moana New Zealand and Japanese company Nippon Suisan Kaisha.
The 82.9 metres trawler will have the capacity to fish 20,000 metric tonnes and process the catch at sea.
It will be able to fish all Sealord’s target species, including pelagic fish such as barracouta, squid and jack mackerel which have previously been caught by charter vessels.
Mr Yung says it will be equipped with new Precision Seafood Harvesting and other fishing technologies to ensure the most sustainable outcomes.
When it’s delivered in 2018 it will provide up to 80 new local jobs.
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