Rimfrost Taps Kongsberg for Krill Vessel Design and Equipment

RLS PhotoNorway-based krill extraction and processing company Rimfrost has awarded Kongsberg Maritime a contract to design and equip a new 120-meter krill harvesting vessel destined for operations in Antarctica.

The vessel will be built by Westcon in Norway, and Tersan Shipyard in Turkey. Westcon will complete the vessel at its facility in Norway after initial construction at the Tersan Shipyard in Turkey. It is expected that the 120m ship will be ready to begin operations in 2022.

Kongsberg Maritime said that the contract has been awarded in several stages during 2020, with the final stage signed in September 2020. The total value of the contract exceeds 200 MNOK (around USD 21,2 million).

"Kongsberg Maritime’s design incorporates technology which is destined to set a completely new standard for krill fishing in Antarctica in terms of climate-friendliness, sustainability and optimal resource use, satisfying both DNV GL Clean Design class notation and the IMO’s Polar Code," Kongsberg Maritime said.

Krill - Image by RLS Photo/ADobeStock

"Extensive use of heat recovery from exhaust gases, coolant water and factory processes will ensure the best possible energy utilization, while the large-scale application of electric components will limit the danger of pollution from hydraulic systems," the company added.

"Much of this innovative technology is sourced from KONGSBERG’s comprehensive product portfolio, including propulsion, steering and deck machinery, power, automation and telecoms. A Fishmaster integrated bridge solution comprising navigation, fish finding, catch monitoring and communications systems will also be supplied by KONGSBERG, in addition to remote support," Kongsberg Maritime said.

First of its kind

Per Kongsberg Maritime, the ship’s design is focused on sustainable operation in one of the planet’s most fragile ecosystems.

"With this in mind, the vessel will be able to carry out much of the product processing on board, making more efficient use of the krill caught and thereby reducing the quantity required," Kongsberg Maritime said.

Rimfrost CEO Stig Remøy explains: “This will be the only vessel in the world where health food and food supplements are actually produced at sea immediately after catching. Short and careful processing will have a positive effect upon product quality. This will allow us to develop a number of new products as food additives for humans, animals and farmed fish as well as for pharmaceutical use. We believe this vessel will revolutionize krill fishing in Antarctica.”