Flake ice is one of the most widely used types of ice in the professional fishing industry, thanks to its ability to cool products quickly, evenly, and without damaging the fish.

At INESA, we have extensive expertise in the production, storage, distribution and weighing of flake ice, supported by our high-performance ice generators and storage silos. Our solutions serve the entire fishing chain: fishing ports, vessels, wholesalers, fish markets, fishermen’s associations, Mercas wholesale markets, ice suppliers, seafood processors, fish farms, canning factories, and more.

Why Flake Ice Machines Are Essential for the Fishing Industry

Within the many professional uses of flake ice, one application stands out for its critical impact: on-board production of flake ice on fishing vessels.

Installing flake ice machines for ships has transformed how fishing crews preserve their catch, offering major improvements in efficiency, quality, and profitability.

How Flake Ice Machines Work on Ships

While land-based flake ice machines use fresh water, on-board flake ice machines typically operate using seawater. Some shipowners may opt for a mixture of seawater and fresh water.

As soon as the vessel leaves port, seawater is pumped into the system and directed to the ice generator, usually installed in the ship’s hold. This setup allows continuous ice production throughout the entire fishing trip.

Advantages of Producing Flake Ice On Board

1. Autonomous and Immediate Ice Production

Crews can produce flake ice independently at any time during the voyage.
This eliminates reliance on port ice suppliers and ensures immediate availability, significantly streamlining operations and reducing turnaround time.

2. Major Cost Savings

Ice purchased at fishing ports—often supplied by fishermen’s associations—has a significantly higher cost than ice produced on board from seawater.

Self-production leads to:

• lower operational expenses

• higher profitability

• increased long-term sustainability for fishing operations

The investment in an on-board ice machine is typically recouped in a short period of time.

3. Superior Fish Quality and Longer Shelf Life

On-board flake ice is freshly produced and offers better cooling performance than ice manufactured on land and stored for long periods.

Immediate chilling of fish right after capture:

• maintains the cold chain from sea to market

• protects nutritional properties

• prevents bacterial growth

• ensures ideal storage conditions onboard

As a result, fish arrive in port with noticeably better quality:

• clear, bright eyes

• shiny, moist skin

• firm, intact flesh

This enhanced presentation leads to higher market prices, further increasing profitability.

4. Eliminates Loss of Quality from Pre-Stocked Ice

Before on-board machines became common, fishing vessels were forced to load ice the day before departing.
This ice frequently deteriorated due to handling and long storage times in the hold.

Modern on-board production entirely eliminates this issue.

GENEGLACE Flake Ice Machines: Built for Marine Demands

The GENEGLACE flake ice generators distributed by INESA are specifically engineered for the harsh conditions of life at sea:

• Extremely robust and durable construction

• Fixed-cylinder design with very few moving parts

• Reduced mechanical wear and fewer breakdowns

• Ideal for continuous operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

• High reliability and stability even in demanding environments

INESA provides comprehensive technical support, ensuring maximum performance and peace of mind for vessel owners and operators.

INESA's proven track record in fishing fleets

Throughout our history, we have equipped hundreds of fishing vessels in the Mediterranean region and a large part of the Spanish fishing fleet, one of the largest in the world. Our experience and specialization have made us a leader in the installation of professional flake ice machines for ships.

You can find more information about the use of flake ice machines for the fishing industry on the web