pewag Launches Dedicated Fishing & Aquaculture Brochure, Bringing Comprehensive Chain and Lifting Solutions to a Fast-Growing Sector

The new pewag Fishing & Aquaculture brochure brings together the company’s complete range of marine-grade chains, lifting hardware, shackles, slings and connecting components in a single dedicated resource designed for the demanding realities of commercial fishing and modern fish farming operations.

A resource built for harsh environments

Commercial fishing and aquaculture place extreme demands on chain and lifting equipment. Saltwater corrosion, constant mechanical movement, shock loading, heavy catches and limited maintenance windows all combine to make component selection a critical safety and operational decision and one that cannot afford to be made on incomplete information.

To help procurement managers, marine engineers and aquaculture farm operators make the right choices with confidence, pewag has published a new dedicated Fishing & Aquaculture brochure. It covers the full product ecosystem from specialist fishing chains for trawler operations, to aquaculture mooring chains, shackles, slings, master links, rings, connecting links and hooks all in a single, technically detailed reference.

The brochure reflects pewag’s longstanding commitment to the fishing and aquaculture sector, reinforcing the Pelagus range as a go-to solution for professionals who cannot afford component failure at sea.

Fishing chains: engineered for every trawl application

The brochure opens with pewag’s comprehensive range of fishing chains products that share a common DNA of high-alloy steel, quench-and-temper heat treatment and 100% proof loading of every link, while varying in geometry and grade to suit specific applications:

• G80 and G95 mid link fishing chains are designed for fishing trawlers and are available in sizes from 10mm up to 26mm, with breaking forces up to 95,000 kg. Both are manufactured from special alloy steel treated to minimise the risk of hydrogen embrittlement and are suitable for operating temperatures from -40°C to +200°C.
• G80 and G95 long link fishing chains offer lighter weight and longer links for the same trawler applications, with the G80 long link range also suitable for container lashing.
• The G95 profile chain is a standout innovation. Its profiled link design increases contact surface area between links, distributing forces more evenly, reducing contact pressure and localised wear. Unlike conventional round link chain, this produces greater dimensional stability, extended service life and reduced maintenance, particularly valuable for bottom trawl operations in abrasive seabed conditions.
• G70 tuna chains and assemblies are purpose-built for purse seiners, with a ‘No Peeling’ hot-dip galvanisation process that bonds zinc metallurgically to the chain’s base steel; delivering 120/140 µm of zinc protection that will not chip during net retrieval. Custom welded pendants and bridles are available on request.
• Tickler chains for bottom trawlers feature surface hardening of HV>470, providing significantly extended service life for seabed sweeping operations. A chain cutting service is also available for custom lengths.

All fishing chains in the range are manufactured in Europe from European-grade alloy steel and are supplied with a full operating manual.

Aquaculture chains: securing cage and net systems underwater

For aquaculture operations, particularly offshore salmon and fish cage installations where mooring reliability is mission-critical, pewag offers its G60 long link aquaculture chain. These chains are produced specifically for mooring companies and cage installation teams who need to trust the chain to perform once deployed.

The G60 long link chain features the same ‘No Peeling’ hot-dip galvanisation process as the tuna chain, delivering an 85µm zinc layer bonded metallurgically to the steel. The long link design is optimised for maximum flexibility and net tensioning compatibility and the chains are also suitable for use in sinker tubes. Every link is proof-loaded to 62.5% of its G60 breaking force. View the G60 long link aquaculture chain range.

Crucially, pewag has taken specific precautions in the production process to minimise hydrogen embrittlement risk – a failure mode of particular concern in offshore mooring applications where component replacement mid-deployment is not a practical option.

Shackles: from precision load monitoring to heavy-duty mooring connections

The brochure’s shackle section highlights two distinct product categories that together cover the full spectrum of aquaculture and fishing shackle applications.

For load monitoring, pewag’s Aquaculture Load Pin Shackles are designed for precision-critical applications including cage weight measurement and crane loading data capture from service vessels. The load pin is manufactured from AISI 630 stainless steel, with wireless data transmission to smartphone, tablet or computer and the option of subsea hard-wired variants on request. Available in sizes from 7/8″ to 1¾” with working load limits up to 25 tonnes.

For structural connections, the G6 bow shackle with screw pin (P210) and G6 bow shackle with bolt, nut and cotter pin (P215) cover all standard mooring, net connection and buoy attachment applications. Both feature hot-dip galvanised bodies and powder-coated pins/bolts, with a 6:1 safety factor and working load limits from 2 to 55 tonnes (P210) and up to 85 tonnes (P215).

Slings, master links, connecting links and hooks: a complete lifting ecosystem

Alongside chain and shackle products, the brochure covers the full range of lifting and connection hardware required by fishing and aquaculture operations:

• Round slings and webbing slings (1–12 tonne WLL) offer lightweight, damage-free lifting for cages, nets and mooring frames, with custom lengths, branding options and wear sleeve configurations available.
• Master links: the G80 master link and G80 wide body master link cover standard and heavy-duty lifting applications in and out of water. The AWI stainless steel master link in G60 is manufactured from AISI 318 LN duplex stainless steel fully compliant with food safety HACCP norms, making it the correct specification when the lifting assembly will come into contact with the catch.
• Connecting links: the G80 fishing connecting link (Connex) features smooth body profiles that prevent fouling in nets and gear, with an un-recessed fishing pin and specially-coated bush. The CWI Connex stainless steel G60 connecting link and CW Connex fishing connecting link (G100 mechanical values) complete the range, with standard lifting Connex connectors convertible to fishing specification via CBHW spare parts kits.
• Hooks: three self-locking hook variants the G80 eye self-locking hook, G80 swivel self-locking hook and G80 eye sling hook with forged safety latch provide automatic locking under load and wide jaw openings for efficient on-deck operations. All are CE-marked, BG-approved and manufactured to EN 1677 standards.

Why pewag for fishing and aquaculture?

In a market served by a range of international competitors, pewag’s position in the fishing and aquaculture sector is built on a set of consistent differentiators:

• European manufacture: all products in this brochure are engineered and manufactured in Europe using European-grade alloy steel, with full traceability and compliance with major international standards.
• Hydrogen embrittlement focus: pewag’s specific treatment processes address one of the most significant failure risks for chain in marine environments – a technical commitment that goes beyond standard galvanisation.
• Food-safe materials: stainless steel components comply with HACCP norms, making them appropriate for use in food-contact applications within aquaculture operations.
• Breadth of range: the brochure covers every product category required across a fishing or aquaculture operation from trawl chains to mooring systems, slings and certified lifting hardware, reducing the number of suppliers needed.
• Over 500 years of chain expertise: pewag’s history as a chain manufacturer, dating to 1479, underpins a depth of metallurgical and production knowledge that is difficult to replicate.

Download the brochure and speak to our team

The pewag Fishing & Aquaculture brochure is available to download now. It covers full technical specifications, product codes, dimensions and working load limits across the entire range. Download the brochure here.

If you are specifying chain or lifting equipment for a fishing or aquaculture operation and would like to discuss your requirements, our team of product specialists is ready to help. From mooring system design to product selection for specific environmental conditions, we provide the expertise to ensure you get the right solution.

Contact the pewag team today or browse the brochure for yourself below!

Safety Spotlight: What is the pewag PLZW-R Rapid Lifting Point and how does it improve safe lifting operations?

Traditional lifting points often require tools for installation, which can slow down setup, increase handling time, and create opportunities for incorrect tightening or poor seating. Without a clear visual confirmation that the lifting point is fully secure, operators may begin a lift without knowing whether the attachment is correctly installed, increasing the risk of unsafe load movement, equipment damage, or delays on site.

The pewag PLZW-R rapid lifting point is designed to solve that problem. It provides a fast, tool-free method of creating a temporary lifting point, allowing operators to install, lock, and confirm the lifting point quickly before repositioning or moving a load. Its click-and-go design, visual locking indicator, and protective features make it a practical safety improvement for temporary and single-use lifting applications.

What is the PLZW-R rapid lifting point?

The pewag PLZW-R is a screw-in lifting point designed for lifting and holding loads by attaching hooks, shackles, straps, and other lifting components to a temporarily installed pick point. It is intended for trained personnel and is available in three sizes covering thread sizes M10 to M16, with load capacities from 0.4t to 1.1t. The product is 360° rotatable so it can be aligned with the direction of pull, and the bracket is 180° foldable for easier positioning and handling.

The key difference with the PLZW-R is its rapid installation method. Rather than requiring conventional tooling for temporary use, the lifting point is inserted by pressing and holding the push button to release the threaded plates, inserting the body into the threaded hole, releasing the button, and then tightening it by hand. Once correctly installed, the green locking indicator becomes visible, confirming that the lifting point is ready for use.

Why use a rapid lifting point?

When machinery or equipment has no permanent lifting points, or when a temporary pick point is needed just to reposition a load safely, speed and certainty matter. A lifting point that can be fitted quickly by hand helps reduce delays and unnecessary handling, while a visible indicator reduces the guesswork around whether installation has been completed correctly.

This makes the PLZW-R especially useful for:

• loads that require a temporary lifting point for repositioning or relocation.
• machinery with no fixed lifting points.
• single-use or short-duration lifting tasks where fast setup is important.
• maintenance or handling operations where minimising downtime matters.

Key safety and performance benefits

• Zero tools required for temporary use. The PLZW-R is designed for tool-free installation and removal in temporary applications, helping reduce manual handling and simplifying setup. For semi-permanent use, it must still be tightened using the specified torque.
• Visual locking confirmation. The built-in locking indicator provides immediate confirmation that the lifting point has been installed correctly. The green ring must be visible before use.
• Faster setup with click-and-go function. The press-button system allows operators to insert and secure the lifting point quickly, reducing time spent on installation and making temporary lifts more efficient.
• Rust-resistant design. The screw is made from rust-resistant stainless steel, helping reduce long-term deterioration risks and supporting safe continued use in suitable environments.
• Protection for the load surface. The integrated sleeve helps protect the contact surface of the load from damage, improving contact and reducing marking or wear.
• High safety factor and traceability. The PLZW-R has a 5-fold safety factor against breakage, and each unit is supplied with an individual serial number for identification and traceability.
• Flexible alignment in use. The ring is 360° rotatable and must be aligned with the expected direction of pull before loading. The bracket can also fold 180° for improved positioning.

Technical overview

The PLZW-R range covers:

• M10 – 0.4t capacity.
• M12 – 0.5t capacity.
• M16 – 1.1t capacity.

Additional operating features include:

• operating temperature from -20°C to 200°C without reduction in WLL.
• 360° rotation for load alignment.
• 180° foldable bracket.
• hand tightening for temporary use, with torquing required for semi-permanent installation.

Preventing misuse – good practice

As with any lifting point, safe performance depends on correct use and inspection. The operating manual makes clear that the PLZW-R should only be used by trained personnel, and that users must check for visible damage, damaged threads, and correct function before each use. The lifting point must be fully seated on the load, aligned in the load direction, and the green locking indicator must be visible before lifting begins.

Good practice includes:

• checking that the threaded hole is clean and undamaged before installation.
• ensuring the contact surface rests fully on the load after installation.
• confirming that the push button and threaded plates function correctly.
• aligning the ring with the expected direction of pull before loading.
• not actuating the push button while under load.
• removing the lifting point from service if there is any doubt about safety or correct function.

Summary

The pewag PLZW-R rapid lifting point is designed to make temporary lifting point installation faster, simpler, and safer. By removing the need for tools in temporary use, adding a clear visual locking indicator, and protecting both the load surface and the lifting point itself, it helps reduce setup time while improving operator confidence. With capacities from 0.4t to 1.1t, 360° rotation, a 180° foldable bracket, rust-resistant construction, and a 5-fold safety factor, it offers a practical solution for temporary lifts where speed and safety need to work together.

Speak to one of our lifting experts to discuss our range of lifting point options.

pewag Brings Its Heavy-Duty Chain Expertise to Hillhead 2026

The UK’s largest quarrying, construction and recycling exhibition is back, and pewag will be there in force. This June, we head to Buxton for three days of live demonstrations, industry conversation, and the kind of real-world equipment showcase that only a working quarry can deliver. This year we’re putting two complementary product families front and centre: tyre protection chains and conveyor and hoist chains. They’re both engineered for the heaviest applications in quarrying and materials handling.

You’ll find us on Stand PD36.

When and Where

Hillhead 2026 takes place from 23–25 June 2026 at Hillhead Quarry, Buxton, Derbyshire; a working limestone quarry and the long-standing home of the show. Opening hours are 09:00–18:00 on Tuesday and Wednesday, closing slightly earlier at 16:00 on the Thursday.

Held every two years, Hillhead is the UK’s largest quarrying, construction and recycling equipment exhibition, bringing together around 600 exhibitors and close to 20,000 visitors across three days and 2026 is on track to be the biggest edition in the show’s 44-year history.

Tyre Protection Chains: Protecting Your Most Expensive Tyres

pewag brings to the show more than 60 years of dedicated tyre protection chain design and manufacturing, backed by a chain making heritage in Austria stretching back centuries. That experience shows up in an extensive range of chain sizes, link designs and mesh patterns built to suit the majority of applications:

• A fine, square-design mesh offers optimum protection even on the sharpest rock, where damage is the primary concern.
• A hexagonal mesh design delivers excellent grip alongside sufficient protection, suited to vehicles that need traction first and protection second.

pewag’s track record in the heaviest applications speaks for itself. The company was first to fit chains to the CAT 994 back in 1992, first to chain the world’s largest tyre (the 60/80-57) in 2003, and introduced a new heavy-duty 23 mm chain generation in 2007. It’s a pedigree few can match.

Conveyor and Hoist Chains: Keeping Material Moving

pewag conveyor and hoist chains are produced on state-of-the-art machinery to high dimensional accuracy and tight tolerances, with steel chains and components matched by strength and uniform hardness to minimise wear and ensure a long-lasting chain system. The close production tolerances mean a smooth, parallel run over the sprockets; vital for keeping a system running reliably shift after shift.

The chains are designed for bucket elevators and scraper conveyors across mining, cement and aggregate operations, holding up under the continuous, heavy-duty running these applications demand. Backing the chains is a wider system of connection links, conveyor attachments, wheels and sprockets, so the whole conveying assembly can be specified and supported from a single source.

Come and See Us: Stand PD36

Whether you’re looking to get more life out of your tyre fleet, specify a more reliable conveyor chain system, or both, Hillhead 2026 is the ideal place to talk it through with our experts on the pewag stand.

Visit us on Stand PD36 at Hillhead 2026, 23–25 June, Hillhead Quarry, Buxton. We look forward to seeing you there!

Safety Spotlight: Understanding the pewag Bolt Cutting Service and Its Role in Safe Lifting Operations

Across lifting operations, even minor alterations to individual components can carry significant safety consequences. Despite this, bolts and lifting point fixings on many job sites continue to be trimmed using ad hoc or manual methods. Although these approaches might appear convenient, they frequently result in rough edges, uneven finishes, and incorrectly sized bolt lengths, each of which introduces potential hazards during both installation and ongoing use.

Critically, a bolt that has been cut using uncontrolled methods loses its certification. Without valid certification, neither the safety nor the performance of that bolt can be assured, raising the prospect of unsafe lifting practices, costly project disruptions, and the premature replacement of components that would otherwise remain fit for service.

The pewag Bolt Cutting Service has been developed specifically to address these concerns, offering a controlled and dependable alternative.

What Does the pewag Bolt Cutting Service Involve?

The pewag Bolt Cutting Service is a precision-controlled process for cutting bolts used alongside compatible pewag lifting points. Rather than depending on manual intervention, bolts are cut to exact specified lengths in a way that preserves their certification, structural integrity, and suitability for continued safe use.

Recognising that timely bolt preparation is often business-critical, the service is designed for rapid processing and prompt delivery. Operations are centrally managed from the Czech Republic, with additional local hubs in the UK, France, Austria, and the USA to support regional demand.

Each bolt produced through the service is:

• Cut precisely to the specified length
• Finished to a clean, professional standard
• Free of hazardous sharp edges
• Fully certified and safe for operational use

By eliminating the need for improvised cutting on site, the service contributes directly to safer working environments and more efficient installation processes.

Safety and Performance Advantages

Certification Is Preserved
Bolts prepared through the pewag Bolt Cutting Service remain fully certified upon completion. This is among the most significant benefits of the service: any improvised cutting approach would immediately void both certification and warranty, leaving the component and the operation exposed.

Improved Handling Safety
A bolt that has been professionally cut presents a clean, flush surface with no sharp edges. This significantly lowers the risk of lacerations or injuries when handling, fitting, or carrying out maintenance work.

Greater Speed and Consistency
The pewag service delivers faster turnaround, greater accuracy, and more consistent results than manual cutting methods; minimising delays and ensuring the correct finish is achieved on every occasion.

Eliminates the Need for On-Site Improvisation
The service removes the requirement for grinders, saws, or other ad hoc cutting tools on site; improving overall safety, reducing operational complexity, and supporting better management of lifting hardware.

Lifting Integrity Is Maintained
Because the bolt remains compliant and correctly prepared throughout, operators can proceed with confidence that the performance and safety of the lifting point have not been compromised in any way.

Compatible pewag Lifting Point Ranges

The Bolt Cutting Service is available for use with the following pewag lifting point product ranges:

• PLAW Lifting Points
• PLDW Rotatable Lifting Points
• PLZW Rapid Lifting Points
• PLOW Rotatable Lifting Points
• PLGW Eye Bolts

This breadth of compatibility means customers can specify the exact bolt lengths their application demands without having to compromise on compliance or safety.

Available Bolt Sizes

In the UK, the pewag Bolt Cutting Service covers bolt sizes ranging from M8 through to M48. This broad range makes it appropriate for diverse lifting point applications from compact assemblies to large-scale and high-demand lifting environments.

Where the Service Is Typically Applied

• Construction
• Offshore
• Wind
• Renewable Energy
• Oil & Gas
• Marine
• Entertainment
• Defence

In these sectors, the ability to maintain compliance while reducing the risk of uncontrolled on-site modification is a critical operational requirement.

Preventing Misuse: Recommended Good Practice

To protect the safety of lifting operations, bolts and lifting point fixings should never be modified using uncontrolled or unverified methods. The following good practice guidelines should be observed:

• Never cut a certified bolt on site by manual means unless the manufacturer has given explicit approval
• Only use bolts and lifting points that are confirmed to be compatible
• Verify that the final bolt length is correct for the specific application
• Confirm that certification remains valid following any modification
• Thoroughly inspect all finished components prior to installation and use

Applying these straightforward controls helps prevent personal injury, preserve equipment integrity, and avoid costly and avoidable operational downtime.

Summary

The pewag Bolt Cutting Service provides a safer, faster, and more consistent alternative to manual bolt cutting. By delivering accurately cut, flush-finished bolts with no sharp edges, it reduces handling risks and simplifies the installation process on site.

Above all, it ensures that bolts retain their full certification and remain safe for ongoing use — an assurance that improvised cutting methods are simply unable to provide.

For any lifting operation where compliance, safety, and operational efficiency are non-negotiable, the pewag Bolt Cutting Service offers a reliable and practical means of keeping critical lifting components ready for purpose.

Speak to one of our Lifting Experts to ensure your next lift is a safe lift.

Below the Hook Lifting: Safety Solutions at Every Stage

Below the hook lifting refers to all the equipment and rigging between the crane hook and the load itself — from lifting points and slings through to spreader beams and load monitoring. Getting this part of the lift right is where LOLER compliance meets practical safety, and where small equipment choices have the biggest impact on risk reduction.

As part of our Safer Together campaign, our specialist lifting brands – Modulift, Load Monitoring Systems (LMS), Aberdeen Web (AWL) and pewag UK – are spotlighting how straightforward equipment choices can make a measurable difference to safety and efficiency across a complete lift journey.

The lift journey (real-world example)

A heavy breakbulk component is moved around the workshop, lifted onto a truck, transferred at the port, and then safely positioned – using safer lifting points, lighter slings, faster rigging, and real-time load control at each stage.

Below is how each product fits naturally into the lift – and why it matters.

1) Pre‑lift preparation: start safe before the first pick

pewag Bolt Cutting Service / pewag Bolt Cutter

Before lifting begins, bolts used in lifting point assemblies or fixtures may need cutting or finishing. The pewag Bolt Cutter provides a controlled method that helps avoid improvised cutting techniques, producing a smooth chamfered finish while supporting the integrity of certified hardware.

Bolt cutting is suitable for PLAW, PLDW, PLZW, PLOW & PLGW pewag lifting points.

Stage of the journey: Pre‑lift preparation – used before lifting to cut/finish bolts safely.

pewag Bolt Cutting Service is Available on pro point lifting points

2) Workshop moves: quicker repositioning with a temporary pick point

PLZW R Rapid Lifting Point

In workshop handling and internal moves, loads often need to be turned, repositioned, or shifted between bays. The PLZW‑R creates a fast, temporary pick point and is designed for tool‑free temporary use, with a visual indicator to confirm secure attachment and a protective sleeve to help prevent surface damage.

Stage of the journey: Workshop move / repositioning – used when adding a temporary pick point to move or rotate the load before the main lift.

pewag PLZW-R rapid lifting point

3) Slinging up: reduce manual handling on every pick

Polyester Round Slings (Tough Sleeve options)

Every lift starts with attaching the load to the rigging – and that’s where manual handling can add up. Polyester Round Slings are a widely used alternative to wire rope slings to reduce manual handling risks, and tough sleeve designs add durability and cut/abrasion resistance to help reduce sling damage over repeated lifts. Polyester round slings also contribute to a lower overall rigging weight when compared to chains & wire rope.

Stage of the journey: Slinging / connection – used when attaching the load to the lifting system for each pick (workshop, yard, truck, port).

Aberdeen Web round sling

4) Main crane lifts: faster rigging and steadier control on heavy loads

Modulift Trunnion Spreader Beam

Heavy breakbulk lifts often involve large, complex rigging arrangements. The Modulift Trunnion Spreader Beam is designed to make those lifts safer and faster by reducing rigging components and manual handling. Its shackle‑free end unit design allows direct sling connection, helping reduce rigging weight and simplify setup while maintaining modular flexibility.

Stage of the journey: Main crane lift (truck ↔ port ↔ vessel) – used between the hook and slings to spread/stabilise the load during heavy lifts.

Modulift Trunnion Spreader Beam

5) During the lift: confirm real loads in real time

LMS Load Pin Shackle

Even well‑planned lifts can change due to load shift, snagging, or tight clearances. The LMS Load Pin Shackle is a compact monitoring option for low‑headroom or restricted setups, providing accurate load data with a 5:1 safety factor and configurable alarms to warn when loads approach or exceed limits.

Stage of the journey: Live lift monitoring – fitted in the rigging to confirm actual load while the lift is underway, especially in tight headroom setups. For example, moving the component being lifted from the factory to the transport lorry, using angled slings.

LMS Load Pin Shackle

Summary: safer decisions across the whole lift

From preparation and workshop handling to the main crane lift and real-time monitoring, this journey shows how a complete below‑the‑hook solution can reduce manual handling, simplify rigging, and improve control on critical lifts.

All equipment featured in this journey is selected to support LOLER-compliant lifting operations, helping teams meet their duty of care without adding complexity to the lift.

Safer Together is about making lifting operations safer through practical solutions that teams can apply immediately – one stage at a time.

Speak to one of our Lifting Experts to ensure your next lift is a safe lift.