Novanor has recently completed the sale of a new seawater refrigeration system (RSW 500) for a 30 m purse seiner to a major shipowner based in Baía Farta, Angola. This transaction brings the total number of RSW systems installed by the company in the Angolan fishing industry to 16, reinforcing its position as a leading supplier of technical refrigeration solutions in the region.

A long-term strategy in Baía Farta

Novanor’s presence in this segment has strong roots in the region. In 2018, the company was challenged by Alvafishing to equip its first vessel in Angola with an RSW system — a pioneering project that required a careful process of market analysis and technology selection.

The problem that prompted the change

Before the introduction of Novanor’s RSW systems into the Baía Farta fleet, shipowners in the region struggled with the lack of reliability of the refrigeration systems then available, which proved poorly suited to the demands of a fleet operating intensively and under adverse conditions.

Novanor’s response: diagnosis before solution

Without the ability to maintain low and stable temperatures throughout the entire voyage back to shore, fish quality was seriously compromised, directly affecting its commercial value. This was further aggravated by the slow cooling process, which is critical to preserving product quality immediately after capture.

In response to this diagnosis, Novanor carried out a study of the actual operating conditions on board its clients’ vessels, analysing variables such as fishing cycles, voyage times, cargo capacities, and the specific characteristics of the marine environment along the Angolan coast. Based on this assessment, the company defined the architecture of the systems to be installed, ensuring that the designed solution would effectively meet the operational needs of each shipowner.

Technical advantages that make the difference

RSW (Refrigerated Sea Water) systems represent a significant improvement over traditional onboard fish preservation methods. Among the main technical advantages that have driven their growing adoption by Angolan shipowners are:

• Uniform temperature preservation throughout the entire mass of fish, eliminating hot spots commonly found in conventional ice-based systems;
• Fast initial cooling, essential to preserve the quality and commercial value of the fish immediately after capture;
  
• Reduced spoilage losses, with a direct impact on profitability;
  
• Materials resistant to the marine environment, ensuring durability and low maintenance requirements even during prolonged operations.
  

Growth and progressive adoption in the local fleet

Since the first project with Alvafishing, Novanor has seen growing adoption of this technology among shipowners in the region. Over the past few years, the company has installed RSW systems of different capacities, responding to the specific needs of each client.

Novanor remains committed to continuing to support the development of the Angolan fishing industry by providing high-performance technical solutions, after-sales support, and specialised knowledge tailored to the operational realities of the local fleet.