| Vessel conversions and improvements - an
investment for the future.
In recent years, the renewal of the Icelandic fishing
fleet has mainly occurred through conversions and updating of existing
vessels rather than through newbuildings. Examples of such developments
are the conversions of fresh-fish trawlers to factory freezer trawlers,
lengthenings of existing vessels and renewals and updating of equipment.
Skipatækni ehf. has acquired a wealth of
experience in this field, and conversion projects of various types have
been a considerable part of the company«s activities, including design,
tender specifications, contracts and supervision.
On-board processing lines.
Among other things, Skipatækni ehf. has developed
an expertise in the design of on-board catch handling systems for fishing
vessels. These include processing lines for round fish and shrimp in factory
freezer vessels as well as gutting systems for fresh-fish vessels. Lines
have been designed for both existing vessels and newbuildings.
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The processing lines on board Guðbjörg
ÍS have been designed by Skipatækni ehf. These
comprise a filleting line for round fish, a line for whole-freezing of
redfish and Greenland halibut, a line for the automatic grading and batch-weighing
of fillets, a plate freezer and an advanced line for shrimp processing
including three grading machines and two cookers. The vessel is also fitted
with a fish-meal factory with a capacity of 25 tons/day utilizing steam
drying.
Computers and modern technology. Skipatækni
ehf. utilizes an advanced computer system in all its design work. CAD
has replaced manual draughting in naval architectural and machine drawings
and all calculation work is performed by computer. The company applies
specialized software in the preparation of line plans and associated computations
as well as for general stability work. Drawings can be transmitted via
modem directly to computers in shipyards anywhere in the world.
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Ship repairs and maintenance.
In recent years there has been an increasing tendency
on the part of vessel owners to put general repair and maintenance work
out for tender. Skipatækni has prepared a large number of
tender specifications for such projects comprising regular docking and
refit work. Particular emphasis is placed on standardized specification
forms and efficient preparation work, resulting in lower repair costs and
shorter completion times.
On-board fish-meal plants.
It is likely that in the future, processing vessels will
increasingly be required not to waste fish offal. One of the possible ways
of fully utilizing fish offal is the installation of on-board fish-meal
plants. Skipatækni has closely followed new developments in
this field and is able to offer vessel owners guidance on the selection
and use of such plants.
RSW and ice-cooled fish tanks - fresher catches.
Where stringent demands are made for the freshness of
the fish landed, refrigerated or ice-cooled sea water tanks provide a suitable
solution. Such tanks have been utilized for a number of years internationally,
and Skipatækni has designed vessels fitted with RSW tanks
for overseas shipyards. RSW and ice-cooled sea-water tanks offer promising
possibilities for vessels catching capelin and herring.
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Standardized purchase contract forms.
For a number of years Skipatækni has offered
vessel owners assistance in connection with purchase or sale of second-hand
vessels. The company is at present preparing a standard form for purchase
agreements, encompassing all technical details concerning the vessel's
condition etc. This standard form is based on the company's own experience
as well as international standard forms of the same nature.
Survey and inspection work
Skipatækni represents Bureau Veritas
and Inchcape Testing Services in Iceland. The company offers inspection
services for international purchasers of goods exported from Iceland. The
goods are inspected and compared with purchase specifications prior to
shipping.
As the local representative for Bureau Veritas,
the company surveys all Icelandic vessels in class with BV.
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