What are fish tubs?

Fish tubs are reusable containers used to hold and move fish and seafood during handling, storage and transport. Depending on the application, they may carry seafood with ice or form part of another controlled chilled-handling process.

Commercial tubs are designed for repeated use in demanding environments. Their suitability depends on the specific task, including the product being handled, the loaded weight, the available space and the equipment used to move them.

Sæplast’s seafood range includes different container sizes and constructions for operations at sea and on land.

Start with the journey your seafood takes

Before comparing containers, map the route each load follows through your operation. Where is it filled? How is it moved? Where is it emptied and washed? Does it return to the same location?

On board and at landing: Available space, access and handling arrangements should guide the choice. Check the selected model’s intended use and approved lifting arrangements before incorporating it into vessel operations.

Inside a processing facility: Consider how the container interfaces with equipment, workstations and cleaning procedures. A suitable footprint can be just as important as the volume it holds.

Between facilities: Plan for identification, collection and return. A reusable container needs a clear route back into service.

During temporary holding: Assess the complete temperature-control process, including product condition, cooling method, holding time and ambient conditions.

PE or PUR: understanding Sæplast container construction

Sæplast offers both PE and PUR containers. The distinction concerns the construction of the container, including its core.

Triple-wall PE containers. Sæplast triple-wall PE containers use polyethylene throughout their construction, including a PE foam core. This construction provides strength for repeated handling and supports recycling at the end of the container’s usable life. These containers are worth considering where intensive use, durability and material recovery are central purchasing priorities.

PUR insulated containers. Sæplast PUR containers combine polyethylene walls with a polyurethane insulating core. They are designed for applications where insulation performance is an important part of protecting product quality during handling, storage and transport.

Discuss the required insulation performance, handling conditions and container configuration with Sæplast before selecting a model.

Choose capacity and footprint together

Two containers can offer a similar volume while fitting very differently into your operation. External dimensions determine how a tub fits through access points, occupies floor space and works with existing equipment. Internal dimensions determine whether it suits the size and arrangement of the product.

When comparing options, establish the amount of seafood in each batch, space required for ice, total loaded weight, available space, equipment access and approved loading and stacking limits.

Check the published specifications rather than treating a model name as its exact capacity. For example, Sæplast’s product catalogue lists the 460 PE container at 420 litres and the 660 PE container at 643 litres. Confirm the selected variant and regional availability when requesting a quotation.

Make cleaning part of the selection process

Cleaning is a recurring part of a reusable container’s working life. It deserves attention before purchase, alongside capacity and handling.

Sæplast PE containers feature a seamless construction, with rounded edges and surfaces that facilitate cleaning. These design features support access during washing and inspection.

Evaluate the container against your actual cleaning procedure. Can staff inspect the interior easily? Can your washing equipment accommodate its dimensions? Are drains, plugs and lids accessible for cleaning where fitted?

Include routine condition checks in the process. Damage that affects cleaning or intended use should be assessed before the container returns to service.

Match the tub to your handling equipment

Before ordering, confirm forklift or pallet-jack access, compatibility with tipping equipment where relevant, and any lifting requirements. These features vary by model.

For example, Sæplast lists forklift and pallet-jack access on all sides for its 1000 PE container. That is a useful specification to check against your own layout, particularly where approach space is limited.

If you plan to combine new containers with an existing fleet, ask Sæplast to confirm compatibility. Similar dimensions alone are insufficient to establish whether different models can be stacked together.

Plan identification before containers leave your site

When containers circulate between vessels, processors and customers, clear identification helps teams recognise ownership and manage returns.

Sæplast offers customisation options that can include colours, branding and markings. Availability depends on the product, production requirements, order quantity and region.

For businesses using digital asset management, barcode, QR-code and RFID options can support container identification within a compatible tracking system. Establish what information you need to capture, and where it will be recorded, before selecting the technology.

Assess value over the working life

The purchase price is only one part of the cost of operating a container fleet. A practical comparison should also account for cleaning, handling, return transport, losses, maintenance and eventual replacement. Use your own operating data wherever possible.

Repairability is another consideration. Sæplast offers repair services that can help extend container life and reduce the need for replacement. Suitability should be assessed according to the damage and the container’s intended use.

For procurement teams, this creates a more useful question than price alone: what will it cost to keep the required number of suitable containers in service?

Include end-of-life planning from the beginning

A reusable fleet needs a plan for containers that can no longer remain in service.

Sæplast triple-wall PE containers use polyethylene in both the walls and core. Sæplast also offers collection and recycling options, subject to location, material, condition and service availability.

Discuss these arrangements when selecting containers. Knowing the construction and available recovery route helps your business plan beyond the initial purchase.

Experience rooted in seafood

Sæplast was founded in Iceland in 1984, with roots in the fishing community of Dalvík. That background continues to inform a container range developed for demanding handling environments.

Today, Sæplast supports seafood businesses with PE and PUR containers for different operational requirements, alongside services that help customers manage their equipment throughout its working life.