Port of Fuglafjörður is looking to fortify its position as one of the top pelagic harbors in the northern hemisphere, engaging in a drive to set up a new processing plant for pelagic food fish.
MAY 2009 (North Atlantic News). One of the worlds leading pelagic ports, the Port of Fuglafjörður is looking to further consolidate its status within the pelagic fishing industry by considering an addition to perfect its supply: a factory to process pelagic fish for human consumption.
Following a successful round of recent harbor developments that culminated in the opening of a new bunker facility which offers everything from heavy fuel to marine gas oil, the port is seeing substantial increases in traffic, in particular when it comes to oil tankers delivering fuel to the bunker service. In result of the opening of the Faroe Bunkers facility in the summer of 2008, an increase of tanker traffic has been noted, both in numbers of calls and in vessel size. The largest to call so far: the 42,010 GRT (gross registered tonnage) King Darwin, 228.6 meters in length.
The core business of the Port of Fuglafjörður is centered on the giant Havsbrún factory which produces fish meal and oil as well as marine feeds. Opened some 40 years ago, the factory extended several times over the yearshas been the main reason for the steady stream of vessels calling at the port. While most of these vessels are pelagic trawlers and purse seiners from various countries coming to land their catches for reduction, there is also a considerable amount of other vessels, including bulk freighters and, notably, oil tankers.
Other attractions of the Port of Fuglafjörður include, to name some, an internationally leading fishing gear manufacturer, a high-capacity cold storage facility, and two major mechanical workshops.
While Fuglafjörður has a history of whitefish and salmon processing, the local food fish business has only been peripheral in recent years. This may, however, be about to change if things go as planned. Unverified reports suggest that a scheme is being worked out to set up a processing plant for the production of pelagic fish for human consumption, with equipment coming from the now closed Kollafjord Pelagic plant.
According to the port authority, the Municipality of Fuglafjörður, there are discussions about the issue but no tangible plans as yet.
A processing facility for pelagic food fish would make the port complete as a comprehensive, full-service pelagic center, says the mayor Sigurð S. Simonsen. We are therefore supportive of the idea and participate in ongoing discussions. However, were currently not in a position to comment any further on this matter.
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