Faroese fishing group Varðin has not dropped plans to build a new pelagic vessel to replace Tróndur í Gøtu, which the company sold to Norway last year.
The project is delayed but still on the table, according to managing director Bogi Jacobsen.
Delayed, Not Cancelled
Varðin sold Tróndur í Gøtu in May last year and intended to begin preparations for a successor soon after. However, the company has yet to move ahead with the project.
“The plan to build a new pelagic vessel for Tróndur í Gøtu has not been dropped, only postponed,” said Jacobsen to Faroese outlet Fiskur.fo.
Fleet Changes and New Builds
Since the sale, Varðin has reshaped parts of its fleet. The company has taken over trawlers Stelk and Heyk from Faroe Origin, in which Varðin owns a 50% stake.
It has also signed contracts for two new freezer trawlers for the Faroese fleet: Sjúrður Tollaksson, being built at Karstensens Shipyard in Skagen, and Dunga Jákup, under construction at MEST in Skála.
Waiting for Market and Quota Outlook
Varðin is also assessing how Finnur Fríði, acquired in August 2023, performs before committing to new builds. Meanwhile, future cuts in mackerel and blue whiting quotas are a concern.
Bogi Jacobsen added that significant vessel investments today require careful planning to tailor the ship to Varðin’s operational needs.