Global Freezing Fishing Vessels Market - 2023-2030

Market Overview

Global Freezing Fishing Vessels Market reached US$ 1.6 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach US$ 2.4 billion by 2030, growing with a CAGR of 4.8% during the forecast period 2023-2030.

Increasing focus on food safety and quality is likely to augment the growth of the global freezing fishing vessel market during the forecast period. The adoption of freezing fishing vessels allows fishing companies to maintain the optimum texture and quality of harvested fish, ensuring higher market prices and increased revenues.

Fishing companies are acquiring freezing fishing vessels to expand their fishing operations. For instance in July 2022, Nordbank Hochseefischerei, a German fishing company ordered a new large freezing fishing vessel from the Tersan Shipyard in Turkey. With the new vessel the company is expected to expand its whitefish and shrimp fishing operations.

Market Dynamics

Increasing Demand for Value-added Seafood Products

Sustained economic growth over the past two decades has raised income levels and have led to increased consumer spending. Furthermore, increasing trade and globalization have ensured the availability of a wide range of products from around the world. Increasing consumer demand for convenience and variety have led to a surge in production of ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat seafood products.

Usage of freezing fishing vessels allow fishing companies to process and preserve fish at the point of catching, thus maintaining its freshness. Furthermore, the frozen fish can be quickly supplied to processing plants onshore for manufacturing value-added seafood products. Fishing companies can also export the frozen fish to factories abroad for processing.

Technological Advances

Technological advances have aided the growth of the global seafood processing industry. Advancements in freezing technologies have improved processing of seafood, thereby improving quality and freshness. Blast freezering, individually quick frozen (IQF) systems and cryogenic freezing methods are some of the methods that have been adopted in recent years that have led to significantly reduced processing times and improved operational efficiency.

Advances in cold chain management technologies have also led to various operational improvements in the fishing industry. The usage of smart sensors and new tracking technology has ensured accurate condition monitoring of seafood at every stage of processing, thus ensuring that the quality and freshness of seafood is maintained.

Territorial Disputes

Many countries have ongoing territorial disputes with each other, regarding the ownership of the marine continental shelf and the oceanic resources contained within it. Many northern European countries within the European Union (EU) have been having an ongoing dispute regarding the annual quota of North Atlantic mackerel that each country is allowed to harvest. After Brexit, UK and France have had disputes regarding fishing in the English Channel. India and Sri Lanka have also witnessed growing disputes over fishing in the Indian Ocean.

The South China Sea, is another major hotspot with nations such as Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, China and Malaysia being engaged in territorial disputes, thus affecting fishing activities. Many countries often deploy armed coast guard patrols to deter fishing activities by opposing countries. Territorial disputes impose unofficial restrictions on commercial fishing vessels, reducing fish harvest sizes and thus leading to reduced demand for freezing fishing vessels.

COVID-19 Impact Analysis

The global freezing fishing vessels experienced various problems due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Lockdowns and movement restrictions imposed during the pandemic lead to disruption in production of fishing vessels, which was further exacerbated due to labor shortages. Supply chain disruptions also led to problems in sourcing parts and other components for maintenance and refurbishment.

A drastic collapse in demand from the hospitality industry, especially restaurants, hotels and resorts, led to a major decline in seafood prices. The decline in prices created a major crisis for fishing companies, with many companies going bankrupt over the course of the pandemic and thus, reducing demand for new freezing fishing vessels. Global demand has witnessed a slow recovery in the aftermath of the pandemic.

AI Impact Analysis

AI-based technologies can greatly improve the efficiency of fishing vessels. Fish finders, sophisticated modern sonar systems and satellite imaging can be utilized to provide real-time data on fish stocks and their distribution patterns. The information will enable freezing fishing vessels to optimize their fishing routes, target specific species and will lead to a drastic improvement in catch rates.

Furthermore, AI-enabled technologies can be used to ensure proper operation of freezing systems. An array of smart sensors can be used to monitor and fine-tune various parameters of the freezing process, such as temperature, to ensure the most optimum storage conditions and maintaining the freshness and quality of the catch.

Russia- Ukraine War Impact Analysis

The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia created problems for the Russian fishing industry. Almost all western countries imposed sanctions on Russia for the war, thus cutting it off from western technology, including for the fishing industry. Although EU countries have not enacted bans on Russian fish imports.

Russian fishing companies and shipyards have been forced to substitute western-made freezing equipment with local or Chinese alternatives. Furthermore, the disruptions in supply of various vessel components has disrupted timelines for various freezing fishing vessels currently under construction in Russia.

Segment Analysis

The global freezing fishing vessels market is segmented based on type, system, vessel length, freezing capacity and region.

Versatility and Cost-Effectiveness Makes Air Blast Freezing the Most Preferred System for Fishing Vessels

Air blast freezing accounts for more than half of the global market. Air blast freezing allows rapid freezing of large batches of catch. The rapid freezing by air blasting prevents the formation of ice crystals, thus maintaining the texture and freshness of the fish. Use air blasting allows fishing vessels to economically freeze large batches of fish and get them to the market at the earliest.

Furthermore, air blasting equipment requires less space, thus leading to efficient usage of onboard space. Although many modern fishing vessels are gradually adopting IQF freezing, it is highly expensive and requires technical expertise for operation. The adoption of IQF freezing system remains limited to large and sophisticated freezing fishing vessels.

Geographical Analysis

Technological Innovation to Augment Market Growth in North America

Fishing is a strategically important industry in North America and the market is expected to grow at a fast CAGR of 5.0% over the forecast period, mainly on account of new technological innovations. Atlantic Cod, Atlantic Haddock, Yellowfin Tuna, Halibut, Alaskan Sockeye Salmon, American Red Snapper, Alaskan King Crab and Pacific Mahi-Mahi are some of the most desired fish varieties globally that are harvested in North America.

In December 2022, Northline Seafoods, a fishing company based in Alaska, U.S., announced that it was constructing 'one-of-a-kind' integrated fishing and salmon processing vessel at a cost of US$ 60 million that is expected to go into commercial operation by early 2024. Furthermore, in June 2023, American Seafoods, another fishing company acquired a new whitefish freezing and processing fishing vessel that is expected to expand the company's operations in the Pacific northwest coast.

Competitive Landscape

The major global players include: Astilleros Armon, Karstensens Skibsværft A/S, Ulstein Group ASA, Damen Shipyards Group, Integrated Marine Systems, Inc., Kongsberg Maritime, Thoma-Sea Ship Builders, LLC, Aresa Shipyard, Havyard Leirvik AS and United Shipbuilding Corporation.

Why Purchase the Report?

• To visualize the global freezing fishing vessels market segmentation based on type, system, vessel length, freezing capacity and region, as well as understand key commercial assets and players.
• Identify commercial opportunities by analyzing trends and co-development.
• Excel data sheet with numerous data points of freezing fishing vessels market-level with all segments.
• PDF report consists of a comprehensive analysis after exhaustive qualitative interviews and an in-depth study.
• Product mapping available as Excel consisting of key products of all the major players.

The global freezing fishing vessels market report would provide approximately 64 tables, 70 figures and 210 Pages.

Target Audience 2023

• Fishing Companies
• Shipbuilding Companies
• Industry Investors/Investment Bankers
• Research Professionals
• Emerging Companies