A new ice plant to Somaliland will provide a major boost for local fisheries by ensuring that catches are landed in premium condition and enabling the development of the indigenous fisheries sector.
In a project being managed by fishery consultant MacAlister Elliott & Partners Ltd (MEP), the new containerised plant will be able to produce up to 10 tonnes of high quality ice per day.
Stephen Akester of MEP said: “I am not aware of any other ice plant that works in this way where blocks can be cracked to create good quality flake ice with a reasonable shelf life. It is ideal for the hot conditions found in Somaliland – the block ice is compact and can be easily stored by a fishing vessel, and once it is cracked, the flake ice gets quickly down to work by cooling the catch.”
Benefiting fishing boats in the ports of Berbera and Maydh, the plant consists of four flake ice machines and one compactor that converts the flakes into blocks. These blocks can easily be stored by a fishing vessel and smashed to create flake ice, to keep fish cool.
The ice plant was manufactured by Spanish company Tucal with MEP providing advice on the design specifications and strategic consultancy for the project.
It will be operated by fishery company Pontus Marine which has funding from over 1,000 investors looking to improve the economic fisheries potential of Somaliland.
In the first instance, the ice will be used by 15 to 18m vessels targeting pelagic fish such as tuna and kingfish.
Source: World Fishing & Acquaculture
