Icelandic tech company Hefring Marine announce a new partnership with the Northern Ireland Fishermen’s Federation. The collaboration will focus on leveraging Hefring Marine’s advanced maritime technologies to help Northern Ireland fishing fleet operate more efficiently, safely, and sustainably, paving the way for a greener and more resilient industry.
With support from the previous Marine Environment & Fisheries Fund from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland this initiative will see members of the Northern Ireland Fish Producers’ Organisation and the Anglo Northern Ireland Fish Producers’ Organisation trial Hefring Marine’s IMAS technology for the first time on commercial fishing trawlers.
The project’s core goal is to provide vessel operators with real-time insights into fuel use and vessel performance, enabling them to optimize operations, lower costs, and improve safety onboard.
“Fuel represents one of the most significant operating costs for fishing vessels,” commented Adam Holland, Fisheries Sustainability Officer for the Northern Ireland fishing industry. “By working with Hefring Marine, we aim to give vessel operators the tools to monitor and manage their consumption more effectively, supporting profitability while also supporting our fleet in aligning with the UK’s emissions reduction targets.”
Rising fuel and operating costs, driven by inflation and global energy market pressures, have placed increasing strain on the Northern Ireland fishing fleet. Traditionally, most vessels lack the tools to measure fuel consumption accurately, relying on crude tank calculations. Hefring Marine’s system will allow operators to track and understand fuel usage in real time, paving the way for greater efficiency, reduced diesel dependency, and improved engine longevity.
The pilot program will also test how the technology can enhance crew safety by offering data-driven guidance on vessel handling in challenging sea conditions.
“Fishing is one of the toughest operating environments at sea,” said Karl Birgir Björnsson, CEO of Hefring Marine. “We are excited to collaborate with Northern Ireland Fishermen’s Federation to adapt our technology for this sector. Our goal is to empower fishermen with tools that make their work safer, more sustainable, and more efficient.”
As part of the rollout, fishermen will undergo training to ensure they can easily access, understand, and apply the system’s data insights. The project will also provide valuable baseline data to explore future adoption of alternative technologies and sustainable fishing practices.
If successful, the pilot will form the foundation for a long-term strategy to modernize vessel operations across the Northern Irish fleet and potentially beyond.
