Icelandic fishing company Vinnslustöðin (VSV) has sold the trawler Þórunn Sveinsdóttir VE-401 to Loðnuvinnslan in Fáskrúðsfjörður.
Around 20 crew members will lose their jobs following the sale, which remains subject to Vestmannaeyjar municipality’s pre-emption rights. The vessel is to be handed over to its new owners at the end of March.
Rising costs and halted projects
According to VSV CEO Sigurgeir B. Kristgeirsson, the sale is part of the company’s debt-reduction plan announced earlier this year.
The move follows the administration’s decision to nearly double fishing fees, which has sharply increased costs across the fleet.
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In the case of Ós, one of VSV’s subsidiaries, the rise amounts to about ISK 120 million (€810,000). At the same time, the total increase for the group could reach ISK 850 million (€5.7 million).
The higher fees have also led VSV to cancel plans for building new groundfish vessels and to announce the closure of Leo Seafood, with staff there either laid off or rehired elsewhere in the company.
“A sad situation” for Eyjar community
“This is all deeply regrettable and against our original plans,” said Sigurgeir Kristgeirsson. “Our goal was to strengthen employment in the Westman Islands for the benefit of both the local community and the nation. But we must obey the laws that are passed, and these decisions hit innocent people hard.”
VSV congratulated Loðnuvinnslan on acquiring Þórunn Sveinsdóttir, describing the trawler as reliable with a successful service record.