Pioneers since 1914
The name Ramoen comes from a mountain at Vartdal close to Aalesund. Local fishermen used this mountain as a sighting point when navigating ashore from the fishing grounds. The name also expressed our goal; to be a fishing company leading and inspiring others. We have always been a forerunner in the development of deep-sea fishing in the North Atlantic.
1912
First "Ramoen" vessel was built for nine young fishermen from Vartdal.
1914
Knut Vartdal Sr. (1887-1959) and two of his brothers built their first vessel “Veidemann”. This was the start of Vartdal Fiskeriselskap AS and the later subsidiary, Ramoen AS.
1920-1940
The company expanded and bought additional five vessels.
1946
Knut Vartdal Sr. founded the Norwegian Fishing Vessel Owners´ Association, becoming its first chairman. He was also chairman of the Fishermen’s Herring Sales Organisation.
1952
"Ramoen" was the first vessel in the Norwegian fishing fleet to use sonar. This changed the method of fishing for herring. This became the most important Norwegian fishery in the fifties. At its peak the company had six purse seiners.
1950 - 1969
Long line fishing for cod on the coast of Western Greenland and New Foundland. At the peak of activity five vessels from the company participated.
1977
The first factory trawler, “Gadus”, was acquired and renamed “F/T Ramoen”.
1989
A new factory trawler was built. The vessel had a fishmeal plant utilizing 100% of the fish. The vessel was sold in 2001 to Sea Harvest, Cape Town, and renamed "Harvest Lindiwe"
The vessel is still fishing under South African flag.
1993
“F/T Ramoen” was the first Norwegian trawler fishing for Alfonsino on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Later the vessel fished for Orange Roughy in the Indian Ocean.
2003
The fleet was renewed through the purchase of “Pacific Pride” - and renamed “Ramoen”.
The vessel was sold in 2015 to Irwin & Johnson, Cape Town. The vessel was renamed "Umlobi" and is now fishing under South African flag.
2008
Eros AS acquired 65% of the company from the Vartdal family. Eros AS main shareholder, Per Magne Eggesboe, became CEO of Ramoen AS.
2015
Vartdal Seafood AS merged with Ramoen AS. All sales are now handled by Ramoen AS.
2016
Our newest “state of the art” factory trawler came into operation. It is an eco-friendly vessel with hybrid propulsion and low Nox emissions. It is the sixth of our vessels proudly carrying the name “Ramoen”.