VARD secures contract for one stern trawler for Deutsche Fischfang-Union

The stern trawler has been developed by VARD in close cooperation with Deutche Fischfang-Union (DFFU). The new vessel will be the first trawler of VARD’s own design sold to Germany.

The VARD 8 03 trawler design is developed to meet the latest demands for fish health management, efficiency, and environmentally friendly operations. With a high focus on quality of catch, safety of crew, and sustainable operations, the vessel has the most efficient technology to bring the catch ashore with minimum environmental footprint.

“We are very pleased to have reached an agreement with VARD to design and construct a new trawler for DFFU. We strive to produce fish products of the highest quality, and sustainability is at the core of our operations. This new vessel will allow us to bring 100 % of the catch to shore, enabling the utilization of the whole catch for increased value creation. The new vessel will have exceptional crew facilities and will be equipped with the most advanced technology available in our industry. We are excited about working with VARD on this project. DFFU and affiliated companies have a long-standing relationship with Norwegian shipbuilders and suppliers. We want to build on that foundation and thereby further strengthen our ties with the Norwegian shipbuilding industry. “

– Baldvin Thorsteinsson and Samuel Ortega, Directors in DFFU

“We welcome Deutche Fischfang-Union and their team to VARD and look forward to develop and build this vessel. VARD’s mission and strategy is to enable sustainable maritime operations together with our customers. This is an advanced trawler with tailor-made technological solutions to meet the customers requirement for sustainable operations and healthy fish. VARD’s specialists within fishery, ship design and technology have joined forces to create the best vessel possible for the customer, and we look forward to cooperating throughout the building process.”

– Fredrik Mordal Hessen, General Manager for the Offshore and Specialized business area in VARD

The new vessel will have a length of 84 meters and a beam of 16.7 meters. Accommodation is arranged for 34 people on board.

Full utilization of the biomass

The new trawler will be equipped with the latest technology, equipment, and solutions for onboard production. To secure high quality of the fish, all the catch will be processed onboard, packed, and stored in freezers or refrigerators and the biomass is stored in specialized ensilage tanks, before unloading at the harbor.

The trawler will be equipped with VARD’s innovative catch handling solutions, with a live fish tank to keep the fish healthy until processing, an advanced fish processing factory, high cargo capacity for refrigerated and frozen fish, as well as ensilage tanks to ensure full utilization of the biomass from each catch.

The vessel will be arranged for triple trawling. The cargo capacity for frozen products will be approximately 2 200 m3 divided over two decks, in addition to ensilage capacity of approximately 540 m3. Total fuel oil capacity is approximately 860 m3.

Sustainable SeaQ solutions by Vard Electro

Vard Electro will deliver a complete SeaQ package, encompassing advanced - still highly intuitive bridge, power, and automation solutions. The SeaQ Integrated Bridge is a flexible and modern bridge solution that integrates the maritime systems easily and perceptively, focusing on optimization of the operator’s workstation allowing storing of own preferred setup, reducing workload, and simplifying operation and safety.

The SeaQ package will include SeaQ Micro Grid, SeaQ Energy Storage System, SeaQ Power Management System, SeaQ Integrated Automation System, and SeaQ Green Pilot. With these combined, the vessel operator is given a full performance overview and can easily manage their operations with the aim of power optimization for reduced emissions.

SEAONICS handling systems

The trawler will be equipped with SEAONICS premium cranes and winches specially designed for safe and efficient deck handling in harsh conditions. The trawl winches have high dynamic performance enabling optimum conditions for the trawl in all conditions. During shooting or paying out wire all winches regenerate power back to the SeaQ Energy Storage System, hence will reduce the power consumption in operation.

To be delivered from VARD in Norway in 2024

The stern trawler of VARD 8 03 design is developed by Vard Design in Ålesund, Norway.

Delivery of the vessel is scheduled from Vard Brattvaag in Norway in Q1 2024. The hull will be

built at Vard Braila in Romania.

Torgeir D. Folland, SVP Sales & Marketing, has been responsible for the commercial process for this project in VARD. He is proud:

“We appreciate that Deutsche Fischfang-Union has selected VARD to design and build their highly technological and sustainable trawler. This contract proves our value chain’s competitiveness and will provide activity at several entities within VARD’s network of specialized facilities. Building fishing vessels and trawlers are an essential part of VARD’s history and core business, and the new assignment will utilize and develop our broad knowledge and competence within the field.”

About Deutsche Fischfang-Union GmbH & Co. KG

Deutsche Fischfang-Union (DFFU), based in Cuxhaven, Germany, is one of the oldest remaining long distance fishing shipping companies in Germany. Its roots go back to the time before the turn of the century around 1900, which means that the company can look back on more than 100 years of eventful company history.

Since 1995, DFFU has been part of the Icelandic Samherji/Alda Group. The group successfully covers all steps of the value chain from fishing to processing and distribution. DFFU owns two fishing vessels and specializes in long distance fishing. The company's fishing grounds are located in the waters of Spitsbergen and the Norwegian coast as well as Greenland. The target fish species are mainly Cod, Saithe, Greenland Halibut and Redfish. The sales markets are mainly in Europe (Cod & Saithe) and Asia (Greenland Halibut & Redfish).