Flexible Solutions
Faced with the rapid growth of blue crab in the northern Adriatic, Consorzio Pescatori di Goro partnered with Dawsongroup tcs Italy to deploy a flexible temperature-controlled solution. A Super°Box blast freezer and modular coldstore hire units enabled the cooperative to process, store, and export blue crab to international markets.
Customer Overview
Based in Goro, in Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region, Consorzio Pescatori di Goro is a fishing cooperative with deep roots in the local seafood industry, originally formed by local fishermen to represent and support the fishing community of the region. For generations, the area has been known for its shellfish, particularly clams and mussels, which are central to the local economy and to the identity of the community.
In recent years, however, that community has faced a very different challenge: the rapid growth of the blue crab population in the lagoons of the northern Adriatic Sea.
The Blue Crab Challenge in Northern Italy
The blue crab is not native to Italy. Originally from the Atlantic coast of the Americas, it is believed to have reached the Mediterranean via ships’ ballast water. Once established, its numbers increased quickly, particularly in the shallow lagoon environments of the Po Delta and northern Adriatic.
For local fishing communities, the impact has been significant. Arriving suddenly in the spring of 2023, blue crabs began to prey heavily on clams, mussels, and other shellfish. This placed pressure on aquaculture businesses that depend on these species, resulting in an approximate loss of 90% of the farmed stock.
In the following two years, the emergency resulted in a total revenue loss for Consorzio Pescatori di Goro of around 20 million euros. What began as an ecological disruption soon became an economic one too.
Consorzio Pescatori di Goro needed to respond quickly. The cooperative had access to a growing catch of blue crab, but to turn it into a viable export product, they needed reliable blast freezing capacity and frozen storage that could be deployed without the time, disruption, or capital commitment of a permanent build.
Blast Freezer and Cold Storage Hire Solution
Dawsongroup tcs Italy provided a flexible temperature-controlled hire solution built around the cooperative’s immediate seafood processing and storage needs. The solution included a Super°Box blast freezer to freeze the crabs after processing, supported by two Super°Box modular coldstore hire units for frozen storage before shipment.
Prior to this, the company had relied on external freezing and storage services, with a focus on the marketing of live shellfish and no dedicated facilities. By internalising the process, in partnership with Dawsongroup tcs, they could independently manage the freezing and preservation of the product.
This gave Consorzio Pescatori di Goro the capacity to protect product quality, manage changing volumes and prepare blue crab for international export markets. Just as importantly, the hire model gave the cooperative the flexibility to scale around a fast-moving and unpredictable situation.
Instead of waiting for fixed infrastructure, the cooperative was able to move quickly, using modular temperature-controlled equipment to create a practical and responsive cold chain solution for a new frozen seafood export stream.
Blue Crab Export Growth and Business Impact
The blue crabs are frozen using the Super°Box blast freezer, then stored in the two Super°Box modular coldstore units before being shipped internationally. Today, blue crab exports from Goro reach markets including South Korea, the United States, and Mexico.
The crisis forced Consorzio Pescatori di Goro to face a completely new market. The company developed specific expertise in the processing and freezing of blue crab, opening up to international markets, particularly the United States and South Korea, where the product is highly appreciated.
In 2025 alone, the cooperative exported 110 tonnes of blue crab, generating a turnover of approximately 2.5 million euros. This created a valuable new revenue stream while helping to reduce the pressure this invasive species places on the local ecosystem.
Consorzio Pescatori di Goro is expanding its blue crab business by adapting a dedicated processing room, installing specialised machinery, and constructing a new facility equipped with innovative technologies. This includes a dedicated blue crab processing area, aiming to transform an environmental challenge into an opportunity for growth, diversification, and the development of new markets.
Flexible Temperature-Controlled Solutions for Seafood Processing
This project is about more than cold storage. It is a story of adaptation, resilience, and practical problem-solving. Faced with a sudden shift in their environment, Consorzio Pescatori di Goro found a way to protect livelihoods, open new markets, and bring value to a species that had previously been seen only as a threat.
“Dawsongroup tcs’ solutions, especially the Super°Box blast freezer and the modular coldstore hire units, were instrumental in enabling us to rapidly launch blue crab processing without waiting for permanent infrastructure investments. The rental flexibility enabled us to respond promptly to the emergency, develop new production skills, access international markets, and create a new business line capable of generating value for the cooperative.” Gianella Paola, Adminstration and Finance, Consorzio Pescatori di Goro
For Dawsongroup tcs, the project shows the role that flexible, modular hire solutions can play when businesses need to respond quickly to change. Whether the challenge is seasonal demand, limited space, an urgent processing requirement or a new market opportunity, the right temperature-controlled hire solution can help turn uncertainty into progress.
Key Outcomes
- Flexible freezing and cold storage deployed without permanent infrastructure.
- Super°Box blast freezer and modular coldstores supported blue crab processing.
- 110 tonnes of blue crab exported in 2025 to markets including South Korea, the United States, and Mexico.
- A new revenue stream created while helping reduce pressure on local shellfish stocks.
Speak to our team to find out how Dawsongroup tcs modular hire solutions could support your next challenge.
