Twenty years of success for Murmansk-based Vega Ltd

Presently, NPP "Vega" owns six research and fishing vessels, including trawlers M-0052 "Persey-4", M-0185 "Nerey", and M-0192 "Тor", longliners M-0184 "Vega", M-0186 "Gemma", and M-0268 "Tezey", as well as one transport refrigerator,   M-0586 "Zodiac". All the vessels are in full possession of the company, they fly the Russian flag with Murmansk as a port of registry. All of them are equipped and furnished to meet the modern requirements, being constantly modernized and upgraded in accordance with the long-term development strategy and on the basis of the latest advances in science and technology. All the vessels (except the transport refrigerator) are equipped to carry out fisheries investigations, perform fishing and fish processing operations, and store fish products. Alongside modern production facilities, the vessels have science laboratories, being equipped by appropriate instruments and software that makes it possible to conduct comprehensive fisheries investigations of the highest standard.

Since the very beginning NPP "Vega" has been using its production profit, including dividends on shares, to renew the production assets, renovate and modernize its vessels and on-shore facilities, and to supply them with the most advanced production and research equipment. Technical condition of the company's fleet is presently one of the best in the Northern Basin.

During the two decades that have passed since the company's establishment, more than 30 trawl designs, 15 types of trawl boards, 5 types of bottom lines and 6 types of netting have been tested on Vega's vessels. New fishing techniques (including deepwater fishery) and longlines have been tried and perfected. Active participation in the development of fishing gears and professional skills in their use contributed to the efficiency of the company's fishing activities and its successful participation in scientific projects and research cruises.

All fishing vessels of ZAO NPP "Vega" are included in the EU International Register, being given individual fish factory numbers. To ensure safety and high quality and raise the competitive capacity of its products, the company has introduced a most advanced system for production and quality control. Shock freezing of large fish at -600C is being successfully applied. The technologies for processing roe and milts of halibut, gadoid fishes, catfishes and capelin have been modernized. The quality of capsulated fish oil for human consumption has been improved with E 316 food antioxidant being actively used.

Fishery in the new North Atlantic areas permitted to increase the product range which includes such species as sharks, pacific halibut, smoothhead, monkfish, ling, silver rockling, chimaera, tusk, blue ling, lumpsucker etc. These species are processed into trunks and fillets. The company launched the production of skin-off trunks of black dogfish, Portuguese dogfish, and shovel-nosed dogfish, as well as the production of shark liver. Nowadays, more than 40 fish species are being processed into different product types at the company's vessels.

NPP "Vega" is one of the leading members of the North Fishing Union, which unites more than 100 fishing companies. Director of NPP "Vega" and its founder, Boris Dmitrievich Kudrin, Honoured Fisheries Worker of the Russian Federation, not only founded the Association, but also was its head for more than a decade. The company's specialists occupy the leading positions in the economic and scientific councils of the Union. They are members of the Scientific Council of the Polar Research Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanography and participate in the activities of Russian and international fisheries commissions. ZAO NPP "Vega" has achieved a total annual catch of 16 000 tonnes and the annual food production exceeding 11 700 tonnes, which is by 30% higher than in 2000. This placed the company among the five most efficient fisheries enterprises of the Northern Basin.

The company's fleet

Scientific and commercial fleet of NPP "Vega" provides the material and technical basis for achieving the company's objectives as set out in its Charter.

M-0052 "Persey-4"

The vessel was built in 1983 at the Stralsund (Germany) shipyard to the "Atlantic-333" design and purchased by "Vega" in 1999. 

The vessel was modernized on the step-by-step basis, including the renovation of hull and fish factory, equipping of scientific laboratories, and installation of modern navigation, hydroacoustic and research equipment. These works also involved changes in the layout of the main production and secondary areas of the vessel.

In 2000, the power plant was fully replaced. 8VD26/20 and 6VD26/20 engines were replaced by modern Wartsila (Finland) engines, 6L20 and 4L20. Engine replacement increased the usable time of the vessel, providing a reserve margin for operations with pelagic trawls. The trawl complex was supplied by a Marelec auto trawl system, which considerably reduced the accident rate and allowed a permanent monitoring of trawl operations. 

Putting this vessel into operation enabled the company to participate more actively in the investigations and fishery of such pelagic fishes as mackerel, blue whiting, herring, and capelin.

The main specifications of the vessel and its equipment

• Port of registry: Murmansk; Class: КM êL2 1 А2; Overall length: 56.11 m; Breadth: 13.80 m; Depth: 9.20 m; Draught: 5.18 m; Gross tonnage: 1896 reg.tons; Net tonnage: 568 reg.tons; Speed: 12.5 knots; Main engine capacity: 2х1080 kW; Hull structure renovated for 1SS (5 years); Crew: 28 people; Scientific group: 12 people; Cruising capacity: 45 days;
• Number of scientific laboratories: 3; Biological sampling site; SBE-19 Seacat (2) hydrological sounder; Weather facsimile station; ЕК-500 research echo sounder; ES-60 searching echo sounder; SD-570 sonar; FS-900/925 trawl monitoring device; POLS electronic research scales; AVU-1M autonomous video recorder; Hydrological winches (3)
• Local area network and computerized working spaces in the scientists' cabins; GPS data processing software; Navy Fisher digital maps; Olex bottom relief digital maps; INMARSAT-C and INMARSAT Mini-M satellite stations; Marelec auto trawl system; Video surveillance systems for production decks and spaces

M-0184 "Vega"

The vessel was built in 1993 at the Yaroslavsky Shipyard on the basis of STR-503 design using the company's internal and credit funds. It was the first oceanic fishery vessel built at a Russian shipyard with a private company's funds in the years following the perestroika.  Our specialists actively participated in the adjustment of the project according to the new requirements. As a result, the vessel was equipped with refrigerating facilities. There was also a number of technologies that considerably improved fishers' working and living conditions as compared with the original project.

Since the beginning the vessel has been operating with trawls. Under the mastership of A.N.Zakharchenko she showed good results in flounder fishery. In 2001, in order to optimize resource exploitation, M-0184 "Vega" was converted into a longliner, with a Mustad automated line installed onboard. Simultaneously, the construction of the vessel was upgraded, including the installation of a higher capacity shaft generator, and modernization of radio navigation and scientific equipment. Hull structure was renovated and the vessel was included in the continuous survey system of the Maritime Register of Shipping.

Fig. M-0184 «Vega» in the port of Murmansk (summer of 2008)

The main specifications of the vessel and its equipment

• Port of registry: Murmansk; Class: КM êL12, Overall length: 48.12 m; Breadth:10.5 m; Depth: 6.00 m; Draught: 4.40 m; Gross tonnage: 916 reg.tons; Net tonnage: 274 reg.tons; Speed: 11 knots; Main engine capacity: 970 kW; Hull structure renovated for 2SS (10 years); Crew: 20 people; Scientific group: 6 people; Cruising capacity: 35 days;
• Scientific laboratory; Biological sampling site; AVU-1M autonomous video recorder; SBE-19 Seacat hydrological sounder; Weather facsimile station; ЕК-500 research echo sounder;
• POLS electronic research scales; Hydrological winch;
• Local area network; GPS data processing software; Navy Fisher digital maps; Olex bottom relief digital maps; Mustad Auto line longlining system; Video surveillance systems for production decks and spaces; INMARSAT-C and INMARSAT Mini-M satellite stations; 
• Fishtech fish processing factory

M-0185 "Nerey"

Fig. MI-0352 "Nerey" (the vessel is pictured with the old number) is leaving the port of Murmansk on a research and fishing cruise. Summer of 1998.

The vessel was built in 1983 at the Yaroslavsky Shipyard to the standard STR-503 "Alpinist" design (previously, the vessel was named "Isahalu" and carried out purse seine and trawl fishery in the North Atlantic). She was purchased by the company in 1996 and, immediately after the purchase, equipped for conducting acoustic trawl surveys and oceanographic investigations. It is the vessel which, after the 5-year ban of Greenland halibut fishery, discovered its commercial aggregations in the Barents Sea and started research fishery, and, later on, commercial fishery on that species. In the subsequent years "Nerey" under the mastership of A.V.Samarsky became the best plaice catcher in the Northern Basin.

In 2000, the vessel's power plant was replaced. "Wartsila" 9L20 (Finland) geared-diesel unit was installed instead of "Kiev" 8NVD48A2U, which considerably improved the technical potential of the vessel. The trawl winch was equipped by a Marelec auto trawl system. Due to the updating of the bridge layout, including the mounting of modern navigation and fish searching equipment, the vessel can use bottom trawl according to modern requirements.  Hull structure was renovated for 1SS (5 years), and the vessel was included into the continuous survey system of the Maritime Register of Shipping.

The main specifications of the vessel and its equipment

• Port of registry: Murmansk; Class: КM êL12; Overall length: 48.20 m; Breadth: 10.50 m; Depth: 6.00 m; Draught: 4.40 m; Gross tonnage: 769 reg.tons; Net tonnage: 231 reg.tons; Speed: 11 knots; Main engine capacity: 1620 hp; Hull structure renovated for 1SS (5 years); AVU-1M autonomous video recorder; Crew: 20 people; Scientific group: 6 people; Cruising capacity: 35 days;
• Scientific laboratory; Biological sampling site; LGG-1 hydrological winch;  EK-500 research echo sounder; Fascimile weather station; POLS electronic research scales; SBE-19 Seacat hydrological sounder; ES-60 searching echo sounder; FS-900/925 trawl monitoring device;
• Local area network; GPS data processing software, Navy Fisher digital maps; Olex bottom relief digital maps; INMARSAT-C and INMARSAT Mini-M satellite stations; Video surveillance systems for production decks and spaces;
• Optimar fish processing factory; Marelec auto trawl system

M-0186 "Gemma"

Fig. M-0186 "Gemma" is leaving the Norwegian port of Larsnes after re- equipment and installation of a new line

The vessel (formerly named "Malakhov") was built to the STR-503 design at the Yaroslavsky Shipyard and carried out trawl fishery in the Barents Sea. She was purchased by the company in 2004 in order to acquire a highly efficient longliner using the latest technical advances.

From April to October 2004, the vessel was subjected to major constructive changes. It was equipped by the latest Mustad automated system, Triplex hydraulic crane, Stamford shaft generator, and modern navigation and fish searching equipment. Catch processing and storage procedures have been entirely modernized.    

Fig. Handing over a present at the ceremony of launching M-0186 "Gemma" equipped with a new line. From left to right: Marvin Longva, Chairman of the Norwegian commune of Larsnes (Mek. Verksted AS), Captain A.I.Maklakov,  B.D.Kudrin, Director of NPP "Vega", I.A.Kolodkin, Chief Engineer of NPP "Vega"

The vessel provided the company with an opportunity to enhance the investigation and fisheries of new open sea and deep-sea fish resources.

The main specifications of the vessel and its equipment

• Port of registry: Murmansk; Class:  КM êL12; Overall length: 53.7 m; Breadth: 10.5 m; Depth: 6.00 m; Draught: 4.95 m; Gross tonnage: 916 reg.tons; Net tonnage: 296 reg.tons; Speed: 12 knots; Main engine capacity: 970 kW; Hull structure renovated for 1SS (5 years); Crew: 24 people; Scientific group: 4 people; Cruising capacity: 45 days;
• Scientific laboratories: 2; Biological sampling site; AVU-1M autonomous video recorder; SBE-19 Seacat hydrological sounder; Weather facsimile station; POLS electronic research scales; Hydrological winch; FURUNO FCV-1200L searching echo sounder;
• Local area network; GPS data processing software; Navy Fisher digital maps; Olex bottom relief digital maps; INMARSAT-C and IRIDIUM satellite stations;
• Optimar fish processing factory;
• Mustad Auto line with 46000 hooks, baiting device, hook separator, hook cleaner; DSI refrigerating unit; Triplex K-50 hydraulic crane; Barracuda cutting system for coiling on propeller; Video surveillance system for 14 checkpoints

M-0268 "Тezey"

The vessel was built in 1993 at the Yaroslavsky Shipyard to the STR-503 design and carried out trawl fishery in the Bering Sea and the Sea of Okhotsk.

The company purchased the vessel in 2006 to convert it into a highly efficient longliner using the latest technical advances. From June to December 2007, the vessel was equipped by the most advanced Mustad automated system, GD GmbH hydraulic crane, Stamford shaft generator, and modern navigation and fish searching equipment. Catch processing, packing and storage procedures have been fully modernized. The equipment was supplied by the companies "Mustad", "Kimek", and "Fishtech".

Putting this vessel into operation enabled the company to participate more actively in the investigations and fishery of new fish resources of the open sea and in the economic zones of remote countries.

The main specifications of the vessel and its equipment

• Port of registry: Murmansk; Class: КM êL12; Overall length: 53.7 m; Breadth: 10.5 m; Depth: 6.00 m; Draught: 4.95 m; Gross tonnage: 877 reg.tons; Net tonnage: 296 reg.tons; Speed: 12 knots; Main engine capacity: 970 kW; Crew: 24 people; Scientific group: 4 people; Cruising capacity: 45 days
• Hydrological winch; Local area network; GPS data processing software; Navy Fisher digital charts; Olex bottom relief digital charts; INMARSAT-C and IRIDIUM satellite stations;
• Fishtech fish processing factory; Mustad Auto line with 46000 hooks, baiting device, hook separator, hook cleaner; DSI refrigerating unit; GD Chs.20/2.1-10.0 hydraulic crane; Barracuda cutting system for coiling on propeller
• Video surveillance system for 14 checkpoints

M-0192 "Тor"

The vessel was built in 1991 at the Yaroslavsky Shipyard to the STR-503 "Alpinist" design. She operated in the North Atlantic, participating in purse seine and trawl fishery. The vessel was purchased by the company in 1997.  

In 2008, the vessel's power plant was replaced. "Wartsila" 9L20 (Finland) geared-diesel unit was installed instead of "Kiev" 8NVD48A2U, which increased the technical potential of the vessel. The trawl winch was replaced by a Rapp Hydema trawl complex. Due to the updating of the bridge layout, including the mounting of modern navigation and fish searching equipment, the vessel can use bottom trawl according to modern requirements.  

Hull structure was renovated for 1SS (5 years), and the vessel was included into the continuous survey system of the Maritime Register of Shipping.

The main specifications of the vessel and its equipment

• Port of registry: Murmansk; Class: КM êL12; Overall length: 53.70 m; Breadth: 10.70 m; Depth: 6.00 m; Draught: 4.40 m; Gross tonnage: 823 р.т. Net tonnage: 246 р.т. Speed: 12 knots; Main engine capacity: 1620 kW; Hull structure renovated for 1SS (5 years); Autonomous video recorder AVU-1M; Crew: 28 people; Scientific group: 5 people; Cruising capacity: 35 days; 
• Scientific laboratory; Biological sampling site; LGG-1 hydrological winch; ЕК-500 research echo sounder; Weather chart receiver; POLS electronic research scales; SBE-19 Seacat hydrologic sounder; ES-60 searching echo sounder; FS-900/925 trawl monitoring unit;
• Local area network; GPS data processing software; Navy Fisher digital charts; Olex bottom relief digital charts; INMARSAT-C and INMARSAT Mini-M satellite stations; Video surveillance systems for production decks and spaces

M-0586 "Zodiac"

This transport refrigerator, built in 1961 and purchased in Norway in 1998, has undergone the procedure of radical hull structure renovation for 2SS (10 years), with an increase in refrigerated hold capacity. The vessel's specifications are in full compliance with the requirements for convention vessels. Presently, TR "Zodiac" performs all at-sea loading/unloading operations, mainly those of ZAO NPP "Vega", delivering frozen fish to seaports all over the world. 

Fig. M-0586 "Zodiac" is ready to receive fish products. Winter of 2007

The main specifications of the vessel and its equipment

• Overall length: 68.63 m; Breadth: 10.2 m; Depth: 6.15 m; Draught: 3.966 m; Speed: 10 knots; Main engine capacity: 715 kW; Crew:  20 people; Cruising capacity: 55 days;
• Type of refrigerating plant: "Grasso"; Number and capacity of freezing holds: 1х76 m3; Temperature in freezing holds: -280С;
• Sailor-2000 satellite communication unit: 600 W; Shipmate RS-5800, RS-5310, RS-2500 navigators
• PC PENTIUM 2/300 with WINDOWS 98

The importance of tasks performed by M-0586 "Zodiac" cannot be overestimated. These include provision, fuel and material supplies, as well as fish product transportation, due to which a considerable amount of effective time is saved by the company's fishing vessels.

Tab. Composition of catches taken by ZAO NPP "Vega"