Shanghai Kaichuang Adds New Purse Seiner To WCPO Fleet

Chinese tuna fishing company Shanghai Kaichuang has purchased a new purse seiner, ‘Junmeto,’ that will operate in the WCPO. Marshall Islands-based Pan Pacific Fishing (RMI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shanghai Kaichuang, has been registered as the owner of ‘Junmeto,’ built in China this year.

‘Junmeto’ is a 79-meter-long seiner, with a 1,977 GRT and 1,100 M/T fish hold capacity, according to the WCPFC vessel registry. It is authorized to fish as of January 1, 2026, and will fly the Marshall Islands flag. Pan Pacific Fishing (RMI) has a plant in Majuro that processes tuna loins and other fish products. The catches of ‘Junmeto’ will head to this plant. Earlier this year, Shanghai Kaichuang announced that it would scrap two of its seiners and build new ones, and the order was given to state-owned Fujian Mawei Shipbuilding. They said the vessels are expected to be delivered in March and April 2027.