The company invested in two pelagic vessels built at Celiktrans in Turkey to replace its three older vessels that have since been sold, one to Norway and two to other Icelandic companies. These are being followed by a trio of new demersal trawlers, also being built at Celiktrans.
The first, Engey, arrived in Iceland at the end of last year and has been at the quayside in Akranes, across the bay from Reykjavík, where Skaginn 3X has been installing the sophisticated catch handling deck.
The first of the new generation of Icelandic groundfish vessels, the Nautic-designed, Celiktrans-built Engey is expected to start fishing shortly. It is to be followed by sister vessels Akurey and Viðey, and several other Icelandic operators are also taking delivery of new tonnage, including Samherji, which recently saw the new Kaldbakur arrive in Iceland from the Cemre yard in Turkey, the first of four new fresher trawlers for Samherji and FISK Seafood. Designed by Skipatækni, Kaldbakur is currently alongside in Akureyri where its catch handling deck is being fitted out by local suppliers.
Now HB Grandi has signalled its intention to invest further in new tonnage with an invitation for bids for the construction of a new 81 metre factory trawler. The company went to Rolls-Royce in Norway for the design of the 1000 tonne fishroom capacity vessel, and it expects to have a decision made in May for the newbuild to be delivered by the end of 2019.
