A first shipment of fishmeal in nearly quarter of a century has been welcomed into Grimsby.
Lockdown triggered a shortage of domestic availability, enforcing a supply chain addition by the town’s long-standing processing facility - as it also closes in on new markets.
Pelagia operates the site, and is closing in on 90 years of turning merchants’ and processors’ filleting left-overs into a valuable commodity used as animal feed and human health products.
Mike Hryckowian, general manager, said: “There is a lot less fishmeal about, no-one has been eating fish - with the fish and chip shops closed because of the coronavirus measures - so we have brought in supply from Shetland.
“It goes into animal feed, and animals still need feeding!”
Vessel CEG Cosmos brought in 950 tonnes, with RMS handling the reception on Alexandra Dock - less than a mile from the well invested operation, which has the capacity to process 300 tonnes a day.
And while existing demand is the reason for the alternative supply - with fishmeal also coming from Aberdeen, Scotland, and Killybegs, Ireland - there could be a regular need even when consumption returns to normal levels.
“We think this will be the start of more cargo coming into Grimsby, we are in the middle of an export deal to the US as well - things are looking quite good, Mr Hryckowian enthused.
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“We have two containers for export, to a major pet food company in the States. Assuming this goes well it could be a major contract for us.”
Seafood remains a strong choice when eating out, from seafront fish and chip shops to fine-dining, pubs, sports stadiums and events the nation over. Much is supplied from Grimsby - with the town the gateway to the largely unaffected retail sector too.
While the likes of Young’s and Hilton Seafood 海角视频 - the lockdown rebranded Seachill as it takes the parent company name - have continued adopting extra measures, the likes of Grimsby Fish Market is only just about to open the auction after an eight week pause.
A dry run is anticipated on Monday ahead of an auction proper in the following days, as new measures to ensure social distancing are scrutinised.
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Across the port, Andy Dixon, RMS’s long serving managing director, told how environmental challenges with rope cranes forced an end to the imports back in 1996. A £1 million purchase completed in late 2017 for the Westside Road terminal has opened up the trade once again.
“Thanks to investment, with our Liebherr LH110MHR material handler, we are now able to control accurately into the bed of the lorry and control dust emission,” he said. “So after nearly a quarter of a century, we are pleased to welcome our friends from Pelagia - formerly Grimsby Fishmeal - back to the Port of Grimsby, especially in these strange and challenging times.”