Nodosa to build two mussel rafts: one for Proinsa and another one for Barlovento

The shipyard from Marin has five new to build vessels on orderbook

Nodosa Shipyard celebrated its 50th anniversary last year. Its industrial history began with manufacturing in a small workshop in Bueu, from where boats were transported by road to the sea in a difficult process that required passing through traffic lights and closing streets. At that time, the main focus was producing aquaculture support vessels for Galician shipowners, the mussel farmers working along the estuaries. This is a niche that the shipyard, now located in Marín, has never abandoned, despite venturing into other types of larger vessels. And it is now returning to this segment with two new units, one for A Coruña-based firm Proinsa and the other on for Barlovento in the Arousa estuary.

The shipyard signed the contract for the construction of the two mussel boats at the end of last year. The companies are currently undergoing a fleet renewal process and opted for steel vessels, understanding they provide the reliability, robustness, and safety they need to operate and be able to change estuaries if necessary.

Thus, the vessel ordered by Proinsa will be 22.7 meters long and 7.5 meters wide and will be delivered this year. Promotora Industrial Sadense (Proinsa) was founded in Sada in 1968 and is part of a group that includes Depuradora de Mariscos de Lorbé (Demarlosa) and Vitalmar Pescados y Mariscos. It defines itself as a "European leader in the sector" and operates dozens of mussel rafts.
As for the Barlovento vessel, from O Grove, it will be half a meter shorter (22.2 meters long and 7 meters wide) and will begin operations in 2027, by mutual agreement between Nodosa and the shipowner, to align it with their fleet renewal process. The company is based in Porto Meloxo and boasts a long history in the sector, spanning over 40 years.

In both cases, the vessels have bow thrusters for enhanced manoeuvrability, and the companies received funding for aquaculture modernization from the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFF), as is common practice in this sector.

The last mussel boat produced by Nodosa was Jocar Tres, delivered in 2020 to owner Diego Portela, from O Grove. Like the two new orders, the design was handled by the shipyard in Marín.

Source: Faro de Vigo