Efficiency That Runs Deep: Propspeed Powers Grassi’s Sustainable Fishing

"By always making the same route of thirteen nautical miles, we now take less time - an hour and 15-20 minutes compared to an hour and 40-45 minutes. That’s an increase in speed of more than 2 knots. The difference is clear." 

Andrea Grassi, Owner of Fishing Vessels

SUMMARY

Andrea Grassi noticed a significant improvement in efficiency, after applying Propspeed to their fishing boats, enabling faster routes and reduced fuel consumption. After 14 months at sea, the propeller remained in excellent condition, further reinforcing their confidence in the product.

ABOUT

Andrea Grassi comes from a family legacy of over fifty years in the professional fishing industry. Originally from Istria, with roots established in Trieste, the Grassi family operates two 15-meter fishing boats equipped with 240 kW diesel engines. With a strong emphasis on environmental safety and sustainability, they are proud to have developed a first of its kind selective trawling system in the Mediterranean, that carefully avoids catching turtles and sharks. Their approach also includes avoiding areas with high juvenile fish populations, further demonstrating their dedication to responsible fishing.

The decision to use Propspeed was sparked by curiosity. “We noticed some propellers treated with Propspeed in the shipyard and were intrigued.” Andrea recalled. Positive testimonials from another fishing company further influenced their decision, as they sought cost-effective solutions to address rising operational expenses - particularly in fuel consumption, the largest cost in the fishing industry.

"In our sector, costs have increased considerably, so we are constantly looking for solutions that will save us money on management," Andrea shared. 

Bolstered by advice from a friend, the Grassi family went ahead with their first Propspeed application. 

The vessel was at sea for a total of 14 months, during what Andrea described as a particularly difficult year for fouling, with levels of marine growth unlike anything they had experienced in the past fifty years. Despite the challenging season, the Propspeed-coated propeller showed no signs of performance decline. Their curiosity, research, and efforts were validated during haul-out, where the propeller was found in excellent condition.

Data from consistent thirteen-nautical-mile routes also reveals a noticeable reduction in travel time, further highlighting the effectiveness of Propspeed.

“Propspeed has not only exceeded our performance expectations but also transformed our operations, allowing us to fish more efficiently and sustainably.”