SSF Builds 26 Affordable Tuna Longliners With Excellent Freezing Systems for Seychelles

SSF's Skillful Boat Building Technique & Being Trustworthy Earns Orders

FRP Ultra-Low Temperature Longlining Fishing Advantages

Hook, Line & Tuna - Longline Gear and Operation
SSF's Skillful Boat Building Technique & Being Trustworthy Earns Orders

FRP Ultra-Low Temperature Longlining Fishing Advantages

Hook, Line & Tuna - Longline Gear and Operation

Article

SSF Builds 26 Affordable Tuna Longliners With Excellent Freezing Systems for Seychelles

Seychelles is an archipelagic island country in the Indian Ocean at the eastern edge of the Somali Sea and has obtained permission from IOTC to purchase 30 tuna longliners (fifteen vessels per procurement). In 2014, the buyer from Cecilia Island visited SSF and decided to get SSF to build 26 of them!

Because of the Covid pandemic, the handover process was a holdback, but eventually, the issue was overcome. In 2021, FV TUNA PEAK NO.16 will be the last vessel to be delivered. All 26 longliners will be completed this year. All tuna fishing boats are expected to be economically beneficial to the island based on the design of the boats, which are cost effective, eco-friendly, and long-lasting.

General arrangement of tuna longliner fishing boat from SSF

General Arrangement of Ultra-Low Temperature Tuna Longliner from SSF.

Economical and Efficient 300 Ton Ultra-Low Temperature (-60°C) Fishing Boat

As fish stocks decline, the international fishery organization's fishing quota has been adjusted to protect the oceans, including the Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean and Atlantic Ocean, which are the major commercial fishing regions.

Due to catch limitations, large sized fishing boats are no longer profitable. In addition to that, large tuna fishing vessels between 500-700 tons have high labor and fuel costs, maintenance fees, and lost productivity due to maintenance. Given that, tuna fishers are eager to find alternatives. Many owners demand small-scale boat size to make sure their business remains competitive.

The chilling system of SSF's tuna longliner

A chilling system that is built from SSF's tuna longliner.

SHING SHENG FA BOAT BUILDING CO., LTD. (SSF) has developed 300-ton tuna longlining fishing boats using fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) material with high-speed and light-weight motors to maximize the performance of vessels. Compared to an old low-temperature tuna fishing boat, the new primary design concept reduces size and weight to save cost. Smaller boats, less fuel, and fewer crews are needed. More importantly, the fishing capacity and effort remain the same. Fishers get to generate profits in the industry. For example, a 380-ton FRP tuna longliner built by SSF has the capacity to handle 200 tons of catch. Ultra low temperature freezers in the boat can preserve species, including thunnus albacares, thunnus obesus, and xiphias gladius, which are more valuable

A typical 120-day outing using SSF built tuna longliner could save approximately USD 30,000 on fuel. Regardless of whether it's casting a longliner or catching fish, it is less time consuming because of the smaller space. Comparing to large steel vessels, the wide space of the deck takes longer to get ready for the next operation.

FRP Ultra-Low Temperature Longlining Fishing Advantages

Deep-sea fishing can be done in two ways: fishers sail back to harbor when the boat is loaded or when the boat is low in fuel. The other way is to relocate fishes to other boats that have ultra low temperature freezers in the ocean, reload the necessities, and continue the journey. It will take about 6 months before heading back. For the deep-sea fishing, most fished species comprise tuna, shark, and marlin. Such practices take place 200 nautical miles outside of the coastline between the Indian ocean, North Africa and Antarctica.

The refrigeration systems in the FRP freezes fast and can reach -60 Degrees Celsius with consistency

The chilling system in the FRP freezes fast and can reach -60°C with consistency.

One of the best properties of fiberglass is that it is not sensitive to variations in temperature. And deep-sea fishing needs ultra-low temperature freezers to store the catch quickly on board to prevent the spoilage. Since fiberglass has lower heat conductivity, the chilling system in the FRP freezes fast and can reach -60°C with consistency.

When having two identical motors installed in FRP and steel made vessels, FRP saves 10-15% fuels. Besides lower fuel cost, the charge for FRP's maintenance is low also. The cost of a steel boat that lasts 30 years is huge, it includes the cost of boat passivation, annual maintenance, docking and a full check up every three years. FRP and Steel fishing boats are different. If both have a lifespan of 30 years, although many clients are still using their FRP fishing boats purchased from SSF for over 30 years, it is a lot easier to fix FRP boats. The cost of changing steel boards and docking is avoided. Overall, FRP fishing boats are energy-saving, have longer lifespan and lower maintenance costs.

Between steel and FRP fishing boats, the maintenance cost for a 40-meter FRP fishing boat is only 1/10 that of steel. Overall, for a boat that is going to be used for 30 years, steel boat is a higher investment, 20％～35％ more than FRP.

FRP Fishing Boat Lasts 30 Years, Same as Steel Boats.

Having the advantages of high strength, anticorrosion and easy molding, fiber reinforced plastics (FRP) have become a commonly used material for building boats, such as fishing boats, yachts, and speed boats. And the boats that are built by FRP have low thermal conductivity, lower fuel cost, are lightweight, and have the same lifespan as steel made boats.

General arrangement design of ultra-low temperature tuna longliner from SSF

General Arrangement of Ultra-Low Temperature Tuna Longliner from SSF.

Hook, Line & Tuna - Longline Gear and Operation

The mainline shooter of tuna longliner from SSF

The length of whole mainline is 50 kilometers long with 13-16 bait hooks between floats.

Mainline shooter, reel machine, line hauler, and capstan is the equipment for tuna longlining. Setting the longline gear involves putting mainline, branch line and baithooks into water. Longline casting and reeling both can be done by machines to prevent tangle. Mainline is slowly cast while deciding the depth of bait hooks in the water. Baited hooks attached at intervals by means of branch lines before deploying into the water.

Mainline and floatline with floats to support the entire longline, branch line with baits, radio beacon and longline are the major longline fishing gears. The length of whole mainline is 50 kilometers long with 13-16 bait hooks between floats. A large number of baited hooks can hang from a single line.

Reeling tuna onboard can be done using a reel machine. Hooked fish is removed from the branch line and the line is organized by a winder.

Line hauler and capstan for tuna longlining

Mainline shooter, reel machine, line hauler, and capstan is the major equipment for tuna longlining.

SSF Builds Up To International Longliner Standards

NISSIN's refrigeration systems, Hasegawa's freezers, Taiwanese wiring and software. It is negotiable to build a suitable tuna fish longliner for you.

At SSF, a longliner would have a U.S. or Japanese pelagic auto trawl system. One precooling freezer and four ultra low temperature refrigerators (below -55°C). The boat has seven fishing reels for the full catch, which allows 200 tons full capacity. The large cabin offers a vast amount of rear-seat space to work comfortably. Because of the big space, all equipment is well organized. Individual rooms are set up for the captain, chief engineer, and fish observer. Twenty-five air-conditioned bonk beds, engine filtered air dryer for clothes drying.

The advanced equipment is installed for deep-sea fishing, including radar, fish detector, SSB/EPIRB/EPIRB/GPS, chartplotter, depth sounder, SART and sonar. HASEGAWA Japan-Made high-quality ultra-low (-50°C) temperature refrigerators, two 60 HP and an 80 HP to preserve the meat. All components are selected to meet economical needs. That is, eco-friendly, energy-saving, easy maintenance, and low-cost operation.

The FRP longliner has line thrower, longliner reel, boat capstan winch, line hauler, EPIRB, SART, AIS, SSB, VHF, Yanmar compact engines (1138PS), four precooling, and ultra-low temperature freezers.

Yanmar compact engines for tuna longliner from SSF

SSF uses Yanmar compact and fuel-efficient engines to ensure your tuna longliner fishing is economically beneficial.

Ultra-Low Temperature Longlining Fishing For Sashimi-Grade Tuna

Sashimi-grade tuna requires a series of fish handling processes to ensure the quality of flesh. The better quality of flesh, the higher the price. Thus, -60°C ultra low temperature environment is required along with all the processes from catching, gutting, the fish, shipment and logistics.

After the blood is drained and the gutting is done, because the bacteria accelerate the process of deterioration, they should therefore be removed to a freezer as quickly as possible for better-quality meat.

Freezing over a hundred kilograms of tuna in less than 10 hours is crucial. The process includes the inner body of the tuna reaching -60°C. When the meat is completely frozen, the fluid in the fish would stop moving therefore reducing a change in color or contamination of the tuna.

FRP longliner's freezer from SSF is not only able provide -55°C chill rate, -60°C onboard catch storage in 48 hours can be achieved to make sure all tunas is served in the best condition.

Species That Are Suitable For Longline Fishery
Longlines are used to target a variety of tuna species including:	Thunnus albacares, Thunnus thynnus, Thunnus maccoyii, Thunnus alalunga, Katsuwonus pelamis, Thunnus obesus, Xiphias gladius, Tetrapterus audax, Istiophorus platypterus, Istiophorus albicans, Makaira Mazara (Makaira nigricans), and Makaira indica.

Why SSF

Even in the price war, having the price advantage allows SSF to stay competitive in the industry and yet still provide high-quality tuna longliners. There is nothing you could do if an engine fails and there's a black out. Thus, SSF uses high-quality engines from all countries, including Japan, Europe, and the U.S., to assure the engine's reliability. U.S. made fishing gear is used to enhance the safety of the voyage.

As the result, twenty-five tuna longlining fishing boats were custom-made according to the buyer's requirements. Constant communication was conducted through the whole process. NISSIN's refrigeration systems, Hasegawa's freezers, Taiwanese wiring and software. It is negotiable if NISSIN or MYCOM system is required, including wiring design, freezer software, software, and sensor.

SSF uses high-quality engines and gears to assure engine's reliability.

The Insist From SSF

Construction of FRP fishing boats at SSF meets all international regulatory. All international class vessels can be completed accordingly. Because SSF insists on installing high-quality engines from all countries, including Japan, Europe, and the U.S., buyers who request high standard vessels can be easily fulfilled. A boat with professionally built refrigeration enhances the fish quality, as a result it can be sold with good price.

SSF's Skillful Boat Building Technique and Being Trustworthy Earns Orders From Worldwide Clients

SSF's solid reputation has allowed it to earn orders from all over the world, such as becoming the first longliner builder for Japan, JP certified , where foreign builder are strictly prohibited. Also, having SSF to build large-sized longliners for South Korea due to the incapacity in the country. Realizing the chilling system can be an issue for 300-to-700-ton fishing boats, SSF collaborated with a lab from a well-known university in Taiwan to study the possibility. The test went well and that's how SSF began to deliver FRP fishing vessels with ultra-low temperature, up to -60°C, freezers to satisfy today's fishery market.

Navigation & Electronics For A 39 Meter Tuna Longliner Navigation & Electronics
Items	Quantity
Electric horn wenden WLD-812	1 set
Clearview screen 250mm	1 set
Navigation light	1 set
Direction Finder Taiyo TD-2200	1 set
SSB. Furuno FS-1503 150W (GMDSS)	1 set
SSB (with DSC) Furuno FS-1575 150W	1 set
VHF. (with DSC) Furuno FM-8900S (GMDSS)	2 set
Two way VHF Entel HT-649 (GMDSS)	1 set
DGps Furuno GP-150	2 sets
Gps with plotter Samyung Navis 5100 (with AIS system)	1 set
Gps with plotter Samyung Navis 2500	1 set
Elec. Chart map south pacific islands	1 set
X Band Radar Furuno Fr-2117 + Mu-190, 19"LCD, 25Kw	1 set
Navnet Radar Furuno Mfd-12/DRS12A, 12"LCD, 12Kw	1 set
Video Sounder Furuno FCV-1150	1 set
Water temp.gauge Nissan MT-3000	1 set
Epirb ACR Satellite 3 406Mhz (GMDSS)	1 set
Navtex Furuno NX-700A (GMDSS)	1 set
Sart ACR Pathfinder 3 (GMDSS)	2 sets
Inmarsat C Furuno Felcom-19	1 set
Facsimile Receiver Furuno Fax-408	1 set
Inmarsat-FB Furuno Felcom-250 with fax-2820	1 set
Gps Radiobuoy remote control	1 set
Gps Radio Buoy sus	8 sets
PA speaker	1 set
Screen auto monitor system with 19"color monitor	1 set

The exterior of SSF's tuna longliner fishing boat

SSF builds high-quality tuna fish longliners to support your fishery business. (left top: line arranger, right top: radio buoy, left bottom: radar mast and direction finder seat, right bottom: projector)

Navigation bridge & kitchen of SSF's tuna longliner fishing boat

SSF builds high-quality tuna fish longliners to support your fishery business. (left top: wheel console, right top: engine control handle, left bottom: control panel, right bottom: galley)

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