The Echebaster Group received its new tuna-freezer vessel last Saturday at 12:00 from Zamakona Yards after its inauguration at the Maritime Cruise Station at Getxo, Port of Bilbao.
This new tuna vessel has a length of almost 90 meters and a capacity of 1,900m3 of fish in its 20 freezers, with accommodation for 42 crew aboard, and a top speed of 18.2 knots. This was the inauguration of the first of a series of three tuna-freezer vessels of similar characteristics that Zamakona Yards will deliver to the Bermean company by next year.
The ceremony was presided over by Mr. Kepa Echebarría (executive representative of the Echebaster Group) and Mr Pedro Garaygordóbil (president of Zamakona) and Mrs. Mª Asunción Munitiz Torres, shareholder of the proprietor company of the vessel. The ceremony was attended by some 250 people including distinguished representatives of the Basque and central governments, the government of the Seychelles, the Port of Bilbao, the bank and consultants, personnel from the Zamakona Shipyard, suppliers, customers of the group, and partners and staff of the fishing company. Afterwards a dinner was celebrated at the Hotel Carlton of Bilbao to mark the important event.
The Izaro is the 720th construction of the Shipyard at Santurce; it is a project of a new design with the latest and most modern technology, built to the specifications of the fishing company at Bermeo. Some of the innovations include a superstructure and bridge made of aluminum, quick freezing tunnels at -60º, and an innovative system of fish separation which returns non-targeted fish alive to the ocean with little human intervention. The vessel is also equipped with safe zones and anti-piracy measures.
This reaffirms the Echebastar Group’s leadership in quality and sustainable fishing. The Echebaster Group is in the process of evaluation by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), an independent organisation which certifies sustainable fishing and is well organized worldwide. This is the first Spanish fishery of tropical tuna to submit itself to a full evaluation by MSC.
Zamakona Yards Group has facilities in Santurtzi (Vizcaya), Pasajes (Guipúzcoa) and Las Palmas of Gran Canaria (Canary Islands), with over 41 years of experience in shipbuilding and repairs of all types of vessels. We specialize in offshore vessels, research vessels, fishing boats and tugs.