11-Aug-2025

Berlin NC finishes a successful season in the Barents Sea after landing in Tromsø

Berlin NC 107, an advanced trawler operated by our German subsidiary Deutsche Fischfang Union (DFFU), has completed its last fishing trip this year in the Barents Sea after landing in Tromsø today. On Wednesday, the vessel will head to East Greenland to catch Greenland halibut.

This landing marks the end of the vessel's fishing season in the Barents Sea, as it has now exhausted its cod quota in the region. The vessel is equipped to catch both shrimp and demersal species, and it was targeting shrimp in the Barents Sea Loophole (Smuthullet) prior to this trip.

Stefan Vidar Thorisson, one of the vessel’s two rotating captains, is very satisfied with the trawler, which was delivered as a newbuild in March 2024.

*Stefan Vidar Thorisson, one of the two rotating captains on Berlin NC 107.*

Significant volume of cod

“This trip went very well, and we finished our quota ahead of schedule. Our total catch was 1.270 tonnes liveweight, almost all of it cod. We were mainly fishing south of the Svalbard archipelago, and last week, east of Hopen island. We have seen significant quota reductions in cod in the Barents Sea for the past few years, sometimes up to 20%. Based on the volume of cod we encountered during this trip, particularly around Svalbard, I am hopeful that the stock has already bottomed out and has begun rising again,” says Thorisson.

Hopen is a remote island in the southeastern part of the Svalbard archipelago. Thorisson notes that there was a lot of fog around Svalbard, which is typical for this time of year, but when the weather cleared, the views were spectacular.

Berlin NC 107 landing in Tromsø earlier today.

Mostly mid-size or large fish, well suited for processing

Thorisson says the fish caught during the trip were mostly mid-size or large cod, ideal for the frozen fillet processing onboard. The vessel utilises everything for production except the bones. Cod heads are used to produce ensilage, which is sold to protein suppliers for use in various industries.

The typical challenges associated with newbuilds have now mostly been overcome, and the onboard factory on the Berlin NC 107 is operating as expected.

According to Thorisson, the vessel will stop for 48 hours in Tromsø to land its catch before setting course for East Greenland.