The patented Eco-Harvesting technology, this ensures that the trawl takes krill onboard the vessel for processing, eliminating the chance of by-catch

Aker Biomarine plans to increase krill fishing in the South Atlantic with Montevideo as logistics center

URUGUAY
Wednesday, October 16, 2019, 22:30 (GMT + 9)

Minister of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries, Enzo Benech highlighted the choice of the port of Montevideo by the fishing company Aker Biomarine to use it as a logistics center and supply chain platform for its growing activity in the Atlantic Ocean.

During the presentation of the krill factory vessel Antarctic Endurance of the Norwegian-based firm, held on October 15, Benech emphasized the importance of the decision of Aker Bio Marine, installed in 2005 in Uruguay, to use the port of Montevideo as a logistics and storage base for its fishing and processing activities of krill (Euphausia superba) in the South Atlantic Ocean.

"Companies like this one have many ports to choose from and has chosen the infrastructure and location of Montevideo, they use the port facilities and perform storage," Benech said, as part of his participation in the presentation of the Antarctic Endurance ship, anchored until this Wednesday 16, when it will leave for Namibia for maintenance.

The Antartic Endurante in Montevideo port and the  authorities (Image: Aker Biomarine)

Benech was accompanied by Undersecretary of the Interior, Jorge Vázquez, the head of the National Directorate of Aquatic Resources (Dinara), Andrés Domingo, the head of the port of Montevideo, Gerardo García, and representatives of the National Navy and the private sector.

Click on the image to enlarge

The Norwegian flag boat, which began operating this year and ended the first krill harveting season this month, is 130 meters long and its hull is designed and optimized only for crustacean fishing. The firm ensures that this vessel is 30% more efficient with the environment compared to others of its type.

YouTube video: Aker BioMarine Antactic Endurance Trawler

With a crew of 70 people, mostly from the Scandinavian country, the ship has a krill meal processing factory and on-board research laboratories. The investment exceeded USD 130 million, indicatedthe company's general manager in Uruguay, Juan Martín Beisso.

The executive said that the crustacean harvest 2018 amounted to 38,000 tons, which was processed through Montevideo and whose ingredients are used in different nutraceutical, aquaculture and animal nutrition applications. Another part of the cargo is used in a production plant in the city of Houston, in the southern United States, where omega 3 fatty acids are extracted.

Beisso projected that the company will close its balance this year with a production of 48,000 tons, 27% more than last year, and expects to reach 70,000 tons by 2020.

Precautionary Catch Limits (PCLs) of Antarctic Krill (Image: Aker Biomarine)

The load of freshly harvested krill is transferred from the collection vessels to the supply vessels and up to 10 times a year is unloaded in Montevideo, in an operation that demands an average of 36 hours. During that period, 4,000 tons of crustacean flour are discharged, which are deposited in the facilities of the former Model Fridge, in western Montevideo, prior to distribution to different destinations, as described by the firm in a press release.

“We would be interested in having a deeper relationship with this world-class company in its field, to learn about its technological innovations, achieve some training program and participation of greater Uruguayan workforce in the processes. Meanwhile, from Dinara we certify the transit of products (from the sea), ”said Domingo.

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