Nodosa Shipyard delivers a new vessel to Orion Fishing Company

Marín, Galicia, Spain. November 28, 2024.- 

The Galician shipyard NODOSA SHIPYARD and ORION FISHING COMPANY LTD, a joint venture participated by the Vigo-based ARMADORA PEREIRA S.A. and the Falkland Islands company ARGOS GROUP LTD, held today the launching ceremony of the vessel ARGOS BERBÉS.

Armadora Pereira and Argos Group continue their fleet renewal process, started with the construction of the ARGOS CÍES in 2018 also at Nodosa Shipyard, awarded as the best shipbuilding of that year in Spain by the College of Naval and Ocean Engineers.

A vessel at the forefront of sustainability and efficiency.

The ARGOS BERBÉS, designed by NODOSA's technical office in close collaboration with Armadora Pereira, is equipped for fishing and processing Patagonian squid in the fishing grounds of the Falklands Islands (Malvinas).

This new construction has been designed following Armadora's design guidelines and criteria, with special emphasis on the safety and comfort of its crew, respect for the environment, energy efficiency and the quality of the final product. The vessel is equipped with various devices to mitigate the incidental mortality of birds and other marine species.

The ship's refrigeration plant works with ammonia as the primary refrigerant, thus eliminating fluorinated gases and, consequently, reducing the impact and damage to the ozone layer.

The ship's hull, with an optimized design and a characteristic inverted bow, has been designed to perform optimally in all sea conditions, mainly in adverse weather conditions, thus improving the safety of its crew and reducing fuel consumption.

The vessel is equipped with a processing plant with different mechanisms for freezing and for obtaining the final product in different formats, mainly Patagonian squid.

Commitment to sustainable fishing

The ARGOS BERBÉS will set sail in early 2025 for its first campaign in the Falkland Islands (Malvinas), a historically well-managed fishing ground whose decisions have always been based on science.

In the words of José Enrique Pereira Molares, President of Armadora Pereira: “we are proud to continue investing with our partners of Argos Group in the renewal of our fleet and in a fishing ground with such a relevant target species for us as the Patagonian squid. A model fishing ground for sustainability and responsible fishing.”

Sheila Stewart, Director of Argos Group, highlighted that “the construction of the ARGOS BERBÉS reaffirms our strong relationship with Armadora Pereira, a partnership for more than 30 years that continues to generate employment and wealth in our communities.”

In the words of José Ramón Regueira, Commercial Director of Nodosa Shipyard, “it is an honor to design and build such technologically advanced and environmentally friendly vessels for shipowners who understand that quality and sustainability are the way forward, and where NODOSA is fully involved”.

The ceremony, which gathered more than 300 guests from the business, social and institutional areas of Galicia, was presided over by the Conselleiro do Mar (Fishing Counselor), Alfonso Villares. The ceremony included the blessing of the new vessel, by the Bishop of the Diocese of Tui-Vigo, Antonio José Valín Valdés, and counted with Ana Pereira as godmother of the event. In addition, the Regional Minister of Social Policy and Equality, Fabiola García, the Regional Minister of Education, Science, Universities and Vocational Training, Román Rodríguez, the Mayor of Marín, María Ramallo, the president of the Port Authority of Marín, José Benito Suárez, Manuel Ángel García from the Maritime Captaincy of Vigo and Patricia Sánchez, Deputy Director of Strategy and Cooperation of the European Fisheries Agency as well as the heads of the main sectorial associations joined this celebration in Marín, marking a significant milestone with the launching of the Argos Berbés.

About the companies

* Armadora Pereira: Based in Vigo, will soon celebrate 70 years of history in fishing.

* Argos Group: Leader in fishing in the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) for more than 40 years.

* Nodosa Shipyard: International reference shipyard, especially in the construction of custom-built fishing vessels, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2025.