Al Wusta Fisheries Industries and UTS (Iceland) have successfully concluded a charter agreement for the fishing vessel Victoria.  The deal has been brokered by Atlantic Shipping AS of Denmark, and will see the Victoria being operated by AL Wusta in Oman’s EEZ for the next two years to explore the potential small pelagic resources in the region.

Span-Ice EHF, Iceland, and Al Wusta Fisheries Industries LLC, Sultanate of Oman, have signed a one-year charter contract beginning in January 2019 for the Freezer Trawler M/V “Victoria” with Atlantic Shipping A/S as brokers. “Victoria” is going to fish Scad (Trachurus Indicus) in Omani waters during the charter period. Atlantic Shipping A/S would like to thank the parties for good cooperation during the negotiations.

The Victoria has docked in the southern Omani port of Salalah after her voyage from Las Palmas.  After a short layover for bunkering and re-provisioning, the Victoria sailed for the continental shelf areas identified in scientific resource surveys to commence trial fishing operations.  The Victoria is operated by a highly experienced multi-national crew with many years of experience of fishing for small pelagic species in western Africa.

Al Wusta management team has been visiting the Spanish ship building sector to establish contacts for the construction of a series of new tuna purse seine vessels.  The development of this sector by the construction of the new vessels is in line with the Fisheries Development Plan for Oman which is included in the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission’s overall sector plan. The vessels will be specifically designed to operate in the Indian Ocean and will incorporate the latest catching and preservation methods including Ultra Low Temperature (ULT) freezing technology for sashimi grade tuna. Spanish shipyards have been selected as they have a long history of designing and building world class tuna purse seine vessels which are in operation around the world.  It is envisaged that the design and tendering process for the new vessels will be completed by late summer.  The construction period for the vessels will take approximately 18 months with delivery scheduled for early 2021.