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Enhancing Services at Leading Pelagic Port |
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Archives -
2007 Archive
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Written by B. Tyril
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Tuesday, 22 May 2007 |
The Port of Fuglafjörður has added a deepwater terminal to offer heavy fuel oil while at the same time giving cod fishing some new consideration — yet the mayor has more in store for the home of the pelagic fishing industry.
Measured in total weight unloaded and loaded, the Port of Fuglafjörður has long been viewed as the most industrious fishing port not only in Faroe but in all of Europe. The port’s annual throughput of goods — much of it related to the pelagic fishing industry — amounts to as much as approximately 600,000 metric tons, according to the municipal authority.
Allegedly accounting for 20 percent of the total value exported by the Faroes — in spite of the fact that the municipality represents only 3 percent of the country’s total population — Fuglafjörður’s vibrant business environment has largely been based upon the giant Havsbrún pelagic plant. Originally opened 40 years ago, the factory processes fishmeal/oil as well as manufacturing aquaculture feed.
The mayor, ex trawler skipper, ex fish farmer Sigurð S. Simonsen, is naturally keen on keeping the wheels turning. Popular for mastering a balanced approach to municipal priorities — cultural, social, economic — Mr Simonsen nonetheless appears determined to see through his plan to extend Fuglafjörður’s northernmost harbor.
The first phase of the plan — a new deepwater, 65-meter terminal for offering HFO (heavy fuel oil) bunker service immediately south of the existing bunkering facilities — has now been completed, at approximately 15 million dkk (2m eur / 1.4m gbp), exclusive of private investments in fuel tanks, offices and more. Next, 16,000m2 of new quayside area partly dedicated to servicing, manufacturing, design and development of fishing gears — a change of plans, actually, from the original thought of drilling a mountain tunnel for the same purpose — at the price of 15m to 20m dkk. A bit further down the road, not yet budgeted, the ambitious plan envisions a new pier and a quay ramp in the same northernmost area, extending beyond the mountain bend there.
“The new bunker tanks are scheduled to open for service already in the fourth quarter of this year [2007],” Mr Simonsen said. “As to the area intended for fishing gear, there are still some details to be worked out before a final agreement can be signed, which I’m hopeful and confident will happen. It will enable Vónin to stretch pelagic trawl nets as far as 350 meters while working comfortably under roof.”
Mr Simonsen added: “The services in and around the harbor are becoming more and more comprehensive and I’d say the prospects are very good for further business development.”
Affording safe berths and secure anchorage in the roadstead in all weather conditions, Fuglafjörður is known as an excellent natural harbor. On the shore, the combined quay length totals more than 1km, offering comprehensive services to both small and large vessels; of these, three deepwater quaysides take care of large and heavily loaded vessels with a draft of 12 to 14 meters.
Fuglafjörður may well be viewed as home of the pelagic fishing industry, yet whitefish still has its place in the central harbor area. A few months ago, the municipal authority lent local longliners a hand by building a new state-of-the art land baiting station there for the fishing companies to rent at modest prices.
“I’m quite convinced this is the best and cleanest baiting station in the Faroes,” Mr Simonsen said, “and it sure was needed. Some folks have been talking for years but nobody would take the first step… so eventually we thought it was about time someone did something about it. Well, I think everyone is pleased with the solution that came up. It’s good for the whitefish boats, and they also have a modest fish landing station which perhaps can be developed in the future.”
For the Port of Fuglafjörður, the year 2006 was successful in every sense of the word, according to the mayor.
For one thing, he pointed out, the aquaculture sector is finally on the rebound, which will translate into business that includes more orders for feed. At the same time, fishmeal prices have soared in the export markets to earn millions for the pelagic fishing industry. Third, fishing vessel owner-operator Framherji — after purchasing a second pelagic trawler at a record breaking 350m dkk (47m eur / 32m gbp) — moved to register all of its vessels in Fuglafjörður. Fourth, a bilateral fisheries treaty was finally signed with Iceland, which could generate new business for the Havsbrún fishmeal factory, the Bergfrost cold storage facility, and probably others as well, not least Vónin the fishing gear manufacturer. Not bad.
Link to pdf presentation...
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