Originally named Baldvin Thorsteinsson, the trawler was built by the Norwegian SIMEK shipyard for Samherji in 1992. Spanning over three decades, the 80-metre-long vessel, with a gross tonnage of 2,348 tonnes, has been successfully operated by several companies. Our German subsidiary, Deutsche Fischfang-Union GmbH & Co. (DFFU), acquired the vessel in 2002, shortening its name to Baldvin NC. In 2017, Arctic Navigations in Poland purchased the trawler and renamed it Polonus. In 2021, the vessel returned to DFFU’s fleet. Most recently, our Portuguese subsidiary, Absolutely Genuine Unipessoal, based in Aveiro, bought the vessel in September this year, carried out technical upgrades and modifications, and renamed it Santa Princesa.
The freezer trawler, which has mainly caught and processed demersal species in the past, has always served its owners and crew well. It has delivered reliable performance through varying operational and environmental conditions over the years, a testament to its high-quality design and robust construction. With its extensive history and recent enhancements, Santa Princesa is now well-equipped to continue its legacy under new ownership and flag.