Ålesund, – VARD, one of the major global designers and shipbuilders of specialized vessels, is pleased to announce that it has secured a new contract for the design and construction of one stern trawler for Deutsche Fischfang-Union GmbH & Co. KG in Germany. The contract value is in excess of  NOK 500 million.

Baldvin Thorsteinsson and Samuel Ortega, Directors in DFFU, says: 

“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. “

Fredrik Mordal Hessen, General Manager for the Offshore and Specialized business area in VARD is pleased about the new contract:

“We welcome Deutsche Fischfang-Union and their team to VARD and look forward to developing and building this vessel. VARD’s mission and strategy are to enable sustainable maritime operations together with our customers. This is an advanced trawler with tailor-made technological solutions to meet the customer’s requirement for sustainable operations and healthy fish. 

VARD’s specialists within the 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.”

Full utilization of the biomass 

Sustainable SeaQ solutions by Vard Electro

1. 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.

Torgeir D. Folland, SVP of 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).

About VARD

VARD is one of the major global designers and shipbuilders of specialized vessels. Headquartered in Norway and with approximately 8,200 employees, VARD operates shipbuilding facilities in Norway, Romania, Brazil and Vietnam. Through its specialized subsidiaries, VARD develops power and automation systems, deck handling equipment, and vessel accommodation solutions, and provides design and engineering services to the global maritime industry.

VARD’s long shipbuilding traditions, cutting-edge innovation, and technology coupled with its global operations and track record in constructing complex and highly customized vessels have earned it recognition from industry players and enabled it to build strong relationships with its customers.

The majority shareholder of VARD is Fincantieri Oil & Gas S.p.A., a wholly-owned subsidiary of FINCANTIERI S.p.A. Headquartered in Trieste, Italy. FINCANTIERI is one of the world’s largest shipbuilding groups, a global leader in cruise ship design, and a reference player in all high-tech shipbuilding industry sectors. With over 230 years of history and more than 7,000 ships built, the Group today has a production network of 18 shipyards operating on four continents and over 20,000 employees.