Austral Fisheries to add new cutting-edge vessel to fleet

Austral Fisheries has commissioned its latest cutting-edge, deep-sea longlining vessel, Austral Odyssey, with the ship expected to be completed towards the end of 2025.

Austral Odyssey is the company’s second newbuild in five years, following the completion of the Cape Arkona in 2020.

At 68.55 metres, Odyssey will be one of the largest and most technologically advanced vessels of its kind, and will operate in some of the world’s harshest fishing conditions in the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified Heard Island & McDonald Islands toothfish fishery.

The ship’s state-of-the-art design will optimise efficiencies for fishing in all conditions, while setting a new standard for sustainable fishing practices, crew comfort and safety.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The ship will boast an advanced energy-saving hybrid propulsion system featuring an integrated load shaving battery package and two-step gear box, which Austral Fisheries says will curb emissions and further improve fuel efficiency. The design also includes increased tank capacity to accommodate the potential for future, less energy-dense renewable fuels, such as methanol.

Austral Odyssey will also be equipped for value-added production of the company’s premium MSC-certified Glacier 51 Toothfish brand at sea.

Austral Chief Executive Officer, David Carter, said the commitment to build this vessel is another historic moment in Austral’s 50-year journey.

“Fishing sustainably and in ways that mitigate environmental impacts above and below the water has never been more important. This project is a testament to that and to the hard work of countless Austral people over time, and a demonstration of shareholder confidence in the future of our Glacier 51 Toothfish brand,” he said.

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