The arrival of the worlds most advanced pelagic trawler renews optimism for the Port of Klaksvík where storage and docking facilities at the North Quay deep-water terminal are set to attract new business.
MAY 2009 (North Atlantic News). With the North Quay marine terminal extended to offer a straight line of 317m with 12m depth alongside and a 20,000 m2 container area, the Port of Klaksvík was well prepared to greet the Norðborg on 8 May as she arrived from Chiles Asmar shipyard on her one-month maiden journey, adding to Klaksvíks fleet of top-of-the-line fishing vessels.
A welcoming crowd had gathered from near and far to hear mayor Gunvá við Keldu pay tribute to the owners of the new 250-million dkk (33.6m eur) trawler. The 83.4 meter combined purse seiner/factory trawler is likely to be the worlds most advanced of its kind, according to fishing industry sourcesaffirming Klaksvíks tradition of being home to world-class trawlers.
A few years back, the Skálaberg, one of the worlds most advanced filleting trawlers, was delivered to local fishing company JFK Trol.
The arrival of Norðborg gives hopes for the future both in terms of economic and human development, the mayor said, hinting at the current economic slump. She expressed the community of Klaksvíks appreciation for vessel owner Hvalnes/Christian í Grótinums considerable contributions toward progress and job creation over the years and in particular with the new trawler.
Ms. við Keldu also made reference to the fact that the fishing company alongside JFK Trol and Faroe Ship holds a one-third stake in the 5,000-tonne cold storage facility opened recently at the new terminal, and has played an active part in developing the North Quay.
Located at Ánir immediately north of town, the North Quay is believed to be one of the safest deep-water berths in the Faroe Islands, offering vessels of virtually any size including freezer trawlers, container ships, ro-ro (roll-on/roll-off) ferries, and passenger cruise liners full maneuverability regardless of weather conditions.
The steep mountains surrounding the harbor offer tangible benefits, both in terms of protection against weather and in terms of effective water supplies. For example, a large passenger ship taking fresh water at the North Quay can get delivery speeds of up to 450,000 liters per hour, according to the port authority, the Municipality of Klaksvík.
Presenting Klaksvík as a destination for cruise tourism is now one of our priorities, Ms. við Keldu says.
The terminal opened a few years ago and was subsequently fitted with a 30m wide ro-ro ramp before being extended to its present length. It was accompanied by large-scale developments in the road infrastructure, bringing fundamental change to Klaksvík.
In 2006, one year after the opening of the terminal, a giant undersea tunnel that connects Klaksvík with Leirvík on the island of Eysturoy was completed, making Klaksvík part of the so-called Main Area which includes the capital Tórshavn and the Vágar Airport.
Weve seen a number of developments in the community, Ms. við Keldu says. Much of it has involved integration between businesses in Klaksvík and Eysturoy. At the same time, people have become much more mobile and that is bound to have an effect on the economy. The tunnel is having a profound impact and is proving very important for community life in the whole area
I think its already difficult for people to imagine life without it.
The added infrastructure is seen to reposition the Port of Klaksvík as it has proven capable of handling large vessels and large quantities of cargo. For example, unloading and loading of frozen goods at the North Quay has turned out to be surprisingly quick, according to Atli S. Justinussen, chairman of the Board of Commerce and Industry (earlier known as Port of Klaksvíks board of directors).
Experience shows that a couple of thousand tones of marine products can be transferred from a factory trawler to a container ship in an amazingly short time by unloading the trawlers cargo into a hundred 20-foot containers on the terminal area then lifting the containers on board the container ship. Such processes are smooth here.
Well sheltered by high terrains on all sides, Klaksvík is the Faroe Islands busiest whitefish port.
In addition to the North Quay, the port comprises the Kósin Quay, a 260m fishing terminal with water depths of 8 to 9m alongside; the Fishing Marina, in the center of town, home to hundreds of small fishing boats; the 300m West Quay, with a depth of 8.75m alongside, the towns main general-purpose berth; and the 55m Fuel Quay with 8m depth alongside.
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