Promens recently introduced a new generation of its legendary Sæplast insulated seafood containers. “We immediately saw the money-making potential of the new system,” says Thomas Kelley, owner of A.J. Marine in Portland, Main, USA, who was one of the first to order the new system. “Now we get day-boat prices for week-old fish” says Captain Enzo Russo.

“I went to Iceland last year to assist Enzo Russo, captain of Miss Trish II, a 97-foot groundfish dragger out of Gloucester, Maine. He was interested in buying a seawater slurry-ice system. Enzo went home with the system alright, and a brand-new line of insulated Sæplast tubs from Promens,” says Thomas Kelly, owner of A. J. Marine in Portland, Maine.

“Enzo immediately saw the money-making potential of the new system,” says Thomas. “With fuel prices rising, fishermen are seriously on the lookout for ways to counteract soaring costs.”

“Fish look like we just caught then – but they are really 7-10 days old,” says Enzo. “We now get day-boat prices for our catch, and you know we’re happy!” He added that the Sæplast tubs are wider and lower than traditional containers, “...so fish aren’t stacked too much on top of each other.”

The crew of Miss Trish II ready to load the new self-closing, insulated Sæplast tubs from Promens

 A better tub
“When I was in Iceland, I saw right away that these tubs make a very tight seal – each one closes off the one below it – so fish stay fresher much longer...and dirt doesn’t get in. These tubs are also lighter, take less space and are easier to handle in the fish hold. So we bought them,” says Enzo.

Before installing the Sæplast tub system from Promens, the catch was stored below deck in pens mixed with layers of crushed ice. Trips last for as long as 10 days, and product quality stored like this deteriorates quickly with each passing day. By using tubs and icing each layer, including putting down a two-inch layer on the bottom and top, old fish is kept looking like new: the colour remains strong, the eyes are shiny and the flesh is firm.

“The crew like working with the new system. It only took about one trip to get used to the new techniques,” says Enzo. “We stack the tubs four or five high in the hold, and their wide profile gives them good stability, so they don’t slide in bad weather.” The tight fit also helps keep the product at its optimum temperature by preventing cold air from escaping.

More advantages
Slots for forklift forks have been moved to the tub’s sides, which increases internal space, and eliminates any chance of dirt dropping into a tub. They are easier to handle, and their lower centre of gravity makes roto-dumping with a forklift much more stable.

The design also improves insulation characteristics so less ice is required, and only the uppermost tub of a stack needs a lid. RFID tags are easily embedded into tubs to ensure reliable traceability.

“We land the catch by hoisting two or three tubs together. It took a little time to learn how to do this, but it’s easier in a way and now we’re used to it. Washing the tubs is very easy,” says Enzo.

Recommendation
“Buyers like the new system because they get better fish. We like the system because we get a better price. Would I recommend these tubs to other captains? Yes. To any captain I would say ‘this is the way to go.’ Of course it means more competition for me, but I‘ll recommend them anyway. Now all we have to do is catch more fish.”

To learn more about the Sæplats tub systems from Promens click here. 

When stacked the tubs firmly close the one below, and 5 tubs can now be stacked per column instead of 4 with the old system.