Austral Fisheries (Austral) today celebrated a major milestone for its premium Glacier 51®Toothfish brand with the launch of its new flagship vessel, Austral Odyssey, in Port Louis, Mauritius. Purpose-built to enhance Glacier 51’s promise of exceptional quality and traceability, the vessel marks both a technological and strategic investment in the Southern Ocean’s fisheries.
Designed from the keel up to minimise environmental impact and optimise product quality, Austral Odyssey incorporates advanced fishing systems, moon pool line recovery, efficient catch handling and processing systems that are all designed to support the premium brand.
The vessel also features a state-of-the-art hybrid propulsion system with integrated battery capacity, reducing fuel consumption and emissions, alongside design features that allow for future adaptation to lower-emission fuels. These innovations demonstrate Austral’s ongoing commitment to sustainable and responsible fishing practices.
Constructed by Norwegian shipyard Baatbygg AS and designed by Marin Teknikk, Austral Odyssey builds on Austral’s strong shipbuilding partnerships while introducing new technologies specifically tailored for our Glacier 51 operation.
Austral Chief Executive Officer David Carter acknowledged the teams behind the vessel:
“I want to thank our dedicated Austral team, alongside the naval architects, shipbuilders and contractors, whose skill, commitment and collaboration have made Austral Odyssey a reality,” Mr Carter said.
“Austral Odyssey is the physical expression of Glacier 51’s premium promise. Her advanced design ensures the highest product quality while supporting responsible, efficient fishing in the Southern Ocean. This vessel is a clear statement of our confidence in the sustainable management of these fisheries and in Austral’s long-term investment in the region.”
Austral’s Southern Fleet General Manager, Theo Verios, added:
“Every feature of Austral Odyssey— from her fishing systems and moon pool to her hybrid propulsion —has been carefully designed to optimise performance, crew safety and product quality in the most challenging conditions.”
Baatbygg AS CEO Kjell-Inge Sjaastad stated:
“Delivering Austral Odyssey is a proud moment for Baatbygg and a testament to the strong collaboration between our teams. This vessel reflects our shared commitment to quality, innovation and future-focused solutions. Our long-standing and trust-based relationship with Austral Fisheries has been key to the success of this project, and we sincerely appreciate their continued confidence in Baatbygg as a partner.”
The launch of Austral Odyssey represents a new chapter for the Glacier 51 brand, reinforcing Austral’s commitment to sustainable, high-quality seafood and setting a new benchmark for innovation, efficiency, and environmental stewardship in the Southern Ocean.
For more information, contactaustral@austral.com.au