The Norwegian pelagic fleet supplies mainly fish used for human consumption. This adaptation has over time been important to increase the added value from the fishery. A key challenge for the further development of the Norwegian pelagic fishing fleet will be to develop better systems and solutions for handling and storage of catch. In this context, the shipping company Sydvestor AS together with equipment vendors worked actively to come up with a new solution for loading and unloading pelagic fish. The company also has helped develop a new concept in tank design.
Compared to traditional cargo tanks that inner has many angles and edges, the new tanks have an oval shape and inner flat surface. This will contribute to far better circulation of seawater in the tank that cools the fish, which in turn will contribute to better quality. Furthermore, one can, through such a solution, reduce energy requirements for pumps etc., thereby achieving a more environmentally friendly and future-oriented total solution. A smooth surface will also save the fish for impact damage during transport, especially in heavy seas during bad weather.
Fish is traditionally pumped on board with a hydraulic blade thrust pump, which pumps fish and water from the nets / trawl on board the vessel. On board the vessel water and fish is separated using a filter box. The fish is further traditionally unloaded using a vacuum pump (system on board in addition to the blade thrust pump.).
On board the test vessel the blade thrust pump is replaced by a pressure loading system. In a large tank pressure adjustment makes it possible to load fish by by creating vacuum in the tank and discharge by fish by creating excessive pressure in the tank.
One assumes that the new system will be more delicate than the traditional because:
- The blade thrust pump that may contribute to stroke damage to the fish and reduced quality will be removed
- A newly developed case distribute fish to the tanks more gently and has improved drainage of sea water, which makes the fish go in the tank with fresh, chilled seawater.
- It has an improved tank system
The new system also means that one can cool the catch continuously from it is loaded on board, until it is unloaded ashore. In a traditional system, it is difficult to cool catch during the loading and unloading operation. The new facility contributes to continuously cooling when the catch is on board which again provides better quality.
This project will be dedicated to some financial support to build a pilot plant, as well as documentation of plant structure, function and quality in the catch delivered from the vessel.
