AESA Delivers World's Largest Tuna Purse Seiner

Spanish state-owned shipbuilder Astilleros Espanoles S.A. (AESA) recently delivered what is believed to be the world's largest tuna purse seiner.

Built by Hijos de J Barreras, part of AESA, and named the Albacora, the tuna purse seiner is 334 feet long and will be operated by Albacora Company in the Indian Ocean from her base at Seychelles. The Albacora has a 3,000-cubic meter frozen hold capacity and the tuna will be frozen in 26 fish tanks by a Grasso refrigeration system. Six compressors with unit capacities of 103,000 kCal/hr cool the brine'which is circulated around the tanks. She is powered by an 8,084-bhp main propulsion plant and designed for operation by a crew of 28.

A helipad above her wheelhouse will carry a helicopter for spotting tuna schools.

AESA's Barreras yard has two other 1,900-cubic-meter-capacity tuna purse seiners scheduled for delivery in 1991 and will also complete a series of 10 130-foot stern trawlers for Moroccan owners. The Moroccan fishing vessels will have a hold capacity of 350 cubic meters and be powered by Deutz MWM engines totaling 1,160 bhp.

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