VESSEL REVIEW | Hadassa Bay – Squid freezer trawler to operate off Falkland Islands
Baird Marine
22 Jan 2025
South Atlantic Squid, a joint venture fishing company formed by Spanish company Copemar and Falkland Islands-based Beauchene Fishing, recently took delivery of a new stern freezer trawler built by Armon Shipyard of Spain.
Hadassa Bay has an LOA of 75.05 metres (246.2 feet), a beam of 15.2 metres (49.9 feet), a draught of 7.8 metres (26 feet), a gross tonnage of 2,493, and accommodation for 70 personnel including crewmembers, factory technicians and scientific observers. The beam was deliberately made wider than usual so that the wheelhouse can be raised just enough to provide the crew with improved all-round visibility.
Hybrid propulsion coupled with efficient deck equipment
The vessel’s hybrid propulsion arrangement consists of a 6DL36 3,164kW (4,243hp) main engine and a 12DZC 2,500kW auxiliary generator supplied by Anglo Belgian Corporation, a Berg 4,200mm propeller, and a Reintjes LAF 5675 gearbox, a Leroy Somer LSA 54-110 alternator, and a Volvo Penta D13-MG 349kW emergency generator with a Stamford S5L1MD4-1 alternator.
Hybrid propulsion was selected to ensure that the trawler will consume less fuel over the same sailing distances and therefore generate fewer emissions. A significant fuel capacity meanwhile enables the vessel to sail as needed even with a limited number of available bunkering stations near its areas of operation just off the Falklands.
The winches from Ibercisa are controlled by a Scantrol system and electrically driven by Siemens motors, which also boast energy regeneration capability. These include two 320kW main drag winches, four 132kW tow line winches, two 110kW Gilson winches, 75kW flake winches, and two 15kW sheet winches. A 160kW net drum is also fitted.
The trawl winches are placed above the main deck to keep the latter clear. This ensures safer working conditions in addition to improving the view of the aft deck when seen from the wheelhouse, resulting in a reduced need for CCTV cameras.
Factory facilities requiring less manpower
The onboard squid factory includes equipment provided by Josmar. Catch is sorted by hand and ultimately ends up in 14 freezers with a rated freezing capacity is 150 tonnes per day. The cooling system from Kinarca utilises ammonia, which has only minimal environmental impact.
The semi-automated factory enables fast and efficient processing. Even the packaging and labelling facilities are semi-automated.
Josmar said the production program is designed to adapt to different catch scenarios. On the days of reduced catch, the factory has equipment and systems to process the squid caught with the highest possible added value.
The factory also has real-time production control systems and equipment for improving traceability of catch. The factory workstations are ergonomically laid out and feature adjustable working positions to better support each operator. Each freezing tray meanwhile weighs only 10 kg, thus requiring less physical effort to move in addition to guaranteeing safety.
Ample accommodation for extended-duration voyages
The berthing spaces consist mainly of one- and two-person cabins though there are two cabins with three berths each and one compartment at the bow that can house four people. Both male and female toilet facilities are also available with doors that can be closed and locked from inside.
Hadassa Bay recently departed on its delivery voyage to the Falklands. It is scheduled to arrive there in time for the opening of this year’s loligo season in late February. Although it will operate primarily in the Falklands, the vessel will sail under the Spanish flag to ensure more favourable tariff rates for Beauchene when exporting its products to Europe.
