Peter Gruttemeyer, acting Managing Director of Hangana Seafood, is manning the bridge at a time the industry is facing a tide of skyrocketing fuel prices. This is not to say his predecessor, Volker Kuntzsch, who left for Japan had an easier job. Both had to pilot Hangana Seafood through challenging tides.

Peter Gruttemeyer, Acting Managing Director of Hangana Seafood.

Gruttemeyer, besides navigating through expensive diesel prices, is looking towards entering the United Kingdom market. All that remains is the British Retail Consortium (BRC) accreditation that will allow the company to export into the United Kingdom. The BRC accreditation is similar to other standard qualifications such as ISO 9001, although restricted to the UK. The process includes the inspections of fishing vessels and factories.
“This will not only allow Hangana Seafood to export to the UK but also mean something to other markets,” says Gruttemeyer.
As for the high fuel prices, Gruttemeyer says these will impact heavily on operations. “It certainly has a huge effect on [our] businesses as the entire fishing industry is running on diesel,” he says.
The increases have already translated into a 15% operational increase on the entire fishing industry, says Gruttemeyer, as the price of crude oil breaks through the US$120 per barrel mark.