How is seafood freezing capacity calculated?

Freezing duty is driven by the heat that must be removed per tonne (sensible plus latent plus sub-cooling to core temperature) divided by the available freezing cycle time. Peak-day landings, not annual averages, should size the plant.

How much ice does a landing site need?

A common planning starting point is roughly 0.7 to 1.0 tonnes of ice per tonne of catch for chilled holding and transport, depending on species, ambient temperature and holding duration. Local practice and transport time can move this significantly.

Plate freezer or blast tunnel for seafood?

Plate freezers suit uniform block products and generally use less energy per tonne. Air-blast tunnels handle mixed formats and whole fish. IQF lines suit retail-ready individual pieces but carry the highest refrigeration duty and capital cost.

Can ColdMatch source freezing equipment suppliers?

ColdMatch helps structure the project brief and RFQ, then approaches suitable suppliers after review. ColdMatch does not manufacture, install or operate freezing equipment.

Planning tool

Seafood Cold Chain Planner

Size a seafood cold chain end to end — ice demand, chilled holding, freezing duty and frozen storage — from peak-day landing or processing tonnage.

Peak-day tonnage (tonnes)

Species / product

Freezing method

Target core temperature

Frozen storage dwell time (days)

Indicative capacity

Freezing duty

443 kW

Freezing cycle

~4.0 h

Ice demand

14.0 t/day

Chilled holding volume

44 m³

Frozen store capacity

357 t

Frozen store volume

928 m³

Storage plant duty

42 kW

Total refrigeration

485 kW

Flexible formats, moderate energy per tonne

Send these figures with your species mix and site details so suppliers quote matched freezing, ice and storage capacity.

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ColdMatch Group is a supplier-neutral procurement platform — not a manufacturer, contractor or lender.

Estimates Only: This calculator is provided for general informational purposes only. Results are approximate and may contain errors, omissions, or outdated information. They do not constitute legal, financial, engineering, tax, technical, or professional advice. Users are solely responsible for independently verifying all calculations, specifications, prices, regulations, and requirements with qualified professionals before making any decisions. By using this calculator, you acknowledge that the website owners, operators, and affiliates accept no responsibility or liability for any loss, damage, or decisions resulting from its use.

Buyer questions

How is seafood freezing capacity calculated?: Freezing duty is driven by the heat that must be removed per tonne (sensible plus latent plus sub-cooling to core temperature) divided by the available freezing cycle time. Peak-day landings, not annual averages, should size the plant.
How much ice does a landing site need?: A common planning starting point is roughly 0.7 to 1.0 tonnes of ice per tonne of catch for chilled holding and transport, depending on species, ambient temperature and holding duration. Local practice and transport time can move this significantly.
Plate freezer or blast tunnel for seafood?: Plate freezers suit uniform block products and generally use less energy per tonne. Air-blast tunnels handle mixed formats and whole fish. IQF lines suit retail-ready individual pieces but carry the highest refrigeration duty and capital cost.
Can ColdMatch source freezing equipment suppliers?: ColdMatch helps structure the project brief and RFQ, then approaches suitable suppliers after review. ColdMatch does not manufacture, install or operate freezing equipment.

Indicative planning figures only — final sizing belongs to the supplier's detailed design. Request comparable supplier quotes · all cold chain tools