|
Photo: Diego Izquierdo/Revista Puerto
Emotive Ceremony Marks Astillero Contessi's 150th Launch
ARGENTINA
Tuesday, December 10, 2024, 02:00 (GMT + 9)
The Mar del Plata-based shipyard celebrated the christening of the Leonilda, a coastal fishing vessel from its newest prototype series, which will operate in Rawson for Grupo Veraz as a replacement for the Virgen del Milagro.
“Argentina has always been a land of riches and opportunities, but it is also a dream-crusher,” remarked Domingo Contessi, president of the shipyard. While the Subsecretary of Fisheries, Juan Antonio López Cazorla, attended the event, he chose not to speak publicly, reports Roberto Garrone of Revista Puerto.
The launch was imbued with a special energy, perhaps due to the bright, sunny day, or the legal resolution granting a 15-year renewal of hake (merluza hubbsi) quotas. The presence of Don Federico and Leonilda’s great-granddaughters, who served as the vessel's godmothers, added a personal touch, symbolizing hope and continuity.
Photo: Diego Izquierdo/Revista Puerto
A Historical Milestone
Coinciding with Mar del Plata's 150th anniversary, the shipyard’s 150th launch highlights the intertwined histories of the city and the Contessi family business, which has been a cornerstone of the community for 75 years.
The Leonilda represents an evolution of the Espartano, one of the fleet's top shrimp-catching vessels. With capacity for 1,700–1,800 boxes of shrimp, the new design reflects both innovation and functionality. Astillero Contessi has already started construction on three identical vessels, scheduled for delivery next year, one destined for the Vestutti family.
Photo: Diego Izquierdo/Revista Puerto
Technical Innovations
Domingo Contessi praised the technical team's work in improving a proven design. Modifications include relocating exhaust systems to the stern gantry and replacing the central gantry with tangon anchorage on the stern gantry. Additionally, the Leonilda features flame-retardant interior paneling imported from Spain, a bow thruster, and an unpainted aluminum wheelhouse for a natural, polished finish.
Structural updates enhance functionality and aesthetics, including a refined bow profile and adjustments to ballast placement. The design preserves key features like an inverted bow and low draft while introducing a 360-degree view from the captain’s cabin.
Photo: Diego Izquierdo/Revista Puerto
Advocacy for the Sector
Domingo Contessi used the occasion to highlight challenges facing the fishing industry, such as negative profit margins. While acknowledging the government's macroeconomic stabilization efforts, he urged for direct dialogue between policymakers and small-to-medium fishing enterprises to discuss costs and propose solutions.
[email protected]
www.seafood.media
|
Print
