Lüderitz, November 15, 2019.- Today the people of the town of Lüderitz welcomed the first brand new build deep sea fishing trawler since Namibia’s Independence, the Lalandii 1, to its home town.

This investment of 160 Million Namibian Dollars was made by the Lüderitz based fishing company, Lalandii Holdings. The main purpose of the vessel is to feed the value-added factory in Lüderitz where 300 of Lalandii Holdings’ people pack in the globally renowned seafood brand of Pescanova.

This investment is part of the announced NovaNam-Lalandii strategic plan, which committed to an investment programme of 480 Million Namibian Dollars for three brand new build vessels between 2019 and 2020. The other two new build fishing trawlers have been invested in, by Lalandii’s associated company, NovaNam, which will cost 320 Million Namibian Dollars.

The construction of this new fishing vessel has at all times kept true to the crucial aspect of sustainability. In this respect, the vessel’s construction and its operations will directly meet 10 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals as promulgated by the United Nations. With this investment, Lalandii Holdings assists Namibia to stake and enhance its claim locally, regionally and internationally as an active promoter of these Sustainable Development Goals.

Lüderitz is a town that relies heavily on the fishing industry – with this new vessel investment, Lalandii Holdings is contributing towards the FAO’s Blue Growth initiative as well as the Blue Economy in building and sustaining a vibrant coastal community in Lüderitz. This vessel will contribute to enhancing the sustainable use of the Namibian aquatic resources whilst also simultaneously improving the social, economic and environmental benefits for the Lüderitz community.

With this new vessel, Lalandii Holdings has confirmed its commitment to its people and their employment, to improve livelihoods, food security and nutrition whilst at the same time supporting sound fisheries management practices and a healthy marine ecosystem. In other words, the emphasis is on placing the community at the heart of its business.

The construction of this vessel has kept true to the four pillars of the strategy of Lalandii Holdings in terms of its Corporate Social Responsibility – these pillars are People, Planet, Product and Communities. The vessel’s construction focused on leveraging technology and innovative equipment with operational and consumption efficiencies as well as carbon footprint reduction. The wellbeing of people onboard was a primary concern during construction and full adhesion to the International Labour Organisation’s Convention 188 was ensured.

It is the most modern deep-sea fishing trawler in Namibia at the present time, with the added and important attractiveness of this highly advanced technological vessel being that it will make the fishing industry a viable proposition for the youth to make a career within.