New $100 Million Fishing Vessel Set to Transform Nunavut Industry

A new fishing vessel, the Saputi II, is slated to arrive in Canada by mid-May 2024, just in time for the 2026 fishing season. This vessel, valued at approximately $100 million, promises to significantly enhance product quality and operational efficiency for the fishing industry in Nunavut. Harry Flaherty, president and CEO of Qikiqtaaluk Fisheries Corp., shared details about the vessel during a board meeting with the Qikiqtani Inuit Association on October 7.

The Saputi II will replace the current Saputi, a 76-metre-long ship that has been in operation since 1987. The new vessel measures 79 metres in length and offers expanded capacity, able to carry up to 1,100 tonnes of shrimp or 750 tonnes of turbot. This is double the capacity of its predecessor. The onboard processing plant will also see significant upgrades, with the ability to freeze 50 tonnes of turbot or 100 tonnes of shrimp per day, which is roughly double the processing capacity of the old ship.

Flaherty noted that the improved capacity will allow the Saputi II to operate for longer periods without the need to dock. The vessel is designed by Norwegian company Skipsteknisk and constructed at Freire shipyard in Vigo, Spain. It will feature eco-friendly engines, dining areas, and even a movie theatre, creating a more comfortable environment for the crew of 34 members.

The order for the Saputi II was announced two years ago, and Flaherty plans to travel to Spain soon to inspect the vessel before its journey to Canada. Upon its arrival in Iqaluit in August 2024, the older Saputi will be put up for sale.

In terms of production, the older vessel had a successful year in 2024, catching a total of 7,504 tonnes of seafood, comprising 4,616 tonnes of shrimp and 2,888 tonnes of turbot, according to Qikiqtaaluk Corp.’s annual report.

While the Saputi II will bring enhanced capabilities to the fishing sector, it will still be smaller than the recently launched Inuksuk II from Baffin Fisheries, which is 79.5 metres long, surpassing the Saputi II by a mere half-metre.

The arrival of the Saputi II is anticipated to not only bolster the fishing operations in Nunavut but also support the local economy by providing enhanced job opportunities and improving the sustainability of fishing practices in the region.