Ekofish Group builds twin-rigger at Damen Maaskant Shipyards Stellendam

Dutch fishing company Ekofish Group has contracted DAMEN Maaskant Shipyards Stellendam to build a new twin-rig fishing trawler. The design and on-board equipment of the new vessel will all be in line with Ekofish’s dedication to sustainable fishing methods, the company said in its press release.

Family-owned Ekofish Group has a history that goes back more than a century. The company’s working practices can be seen as a product of this rich fishing heritage and a truly sustainable way of thinking. An especially pertinent example of this was when Ekofish was the first European flatfish fishing company to receive MSC certification back in 2009.

The design of the new vessel has been a collaboration between Ekofish, DAMEN Maaskant Shipyards Stellendam and Vripack naval architects. “We got together in March 2017 to design the various design parameters,” comments Ekofish’s Louwe de Boer. “We wanted something innovative; in that respect we are not scared of change.”

With its 32-metre length and 9.6-metre beam, the design of the new vessel reflects this multi-disciplinary approach. “This has been a very enthusiastic cooperation – combining Damen’s know-how with our own fishing experience,” says Mr De Boer.

For Vripack – a company more well-known for its yacht design portfolio – the new vessel represents their first twin-rigger fishing vessel design. “We were invited to look at the creation for the trawler with a fresh pair of eyes; approaching the project from a non-conventional angle from our position of a holistic design and naval architecture studio,” says Ierring Faber, Naval Architect at Vripack.

“In the next phase of the project, the valuable input from Maaskant Shipyards made the design develop into a feasible fish trawler while still doing justice to the innovative concept design that we started off with.”

Taking on the requirements of returning customer Ekofish, the team at DAMEN Maaskant Shipyards Stellendam aimed to optimise the efficiency of the vessel’s systems wherever possible. Using the design of the power plant as an example, Eric Moerkerk, Manager Operations at the yard, explains: “The vessel will have diesel-electric propulsion, using three generators lined up to a DC-Bus. This will reduce the peak load demands that are characteristic of the operational profile of fishing vessels.”

In addition, the power plant will be supplemented by a battery pack. “The batteries can be used for short-term tasks at sea, and also while in harbour – removing the need to use the main engines. They can be charged in various ways; during periods of engine overcapacity or even capturing the energy created when the winches are paying out. These techniques are ground-breaking for the fisheries industry.”

Construction of the hull, taking place in Poland, is due to commence in Q1 2018. DAMEN Maaskant Shipyards Stellendam will perform outfitting, aiming for completion in Q1 2019.



Damen Shipyards Group
Damen Shipyards Group operates 33 shipbuilding and repair yards, employing 9,000 people worldwide. DAMEN has delivered more than 6,000 vessels in more than 100 countries and delivers some 180 vessels annually to customers worldwide. Based on its unique, standardised ship-design concept DAMEN is able to guarantee consistent quality.

Damen’s focus on standardisation, modular construction and keeping vessels in stock leads to short delivery times, low ‘total cost of ownership’, high resale values and reliable performance. Furthermore, DAMEN vessels are based on thorough R&D and proven technology.

Damen offers a wide range of products, including tugs, workboats, naval and patrol vessels, high speed craft, cargo vessels, dredgers, vessels for the offshore industry, ferries, pontoons and superyachts.

For nearly all vessel types DAMEN offers a broad range of services, including maintenance, spare parts delivery, training and the transfer of (shipbuilding) know-how. DAMEN also offers a variety of marine components, such as nozzles, rudders, anchors, anchor chains and steel works.

Damen Shiprepair & Conversion (DSC) has a worldwide network of sixteen repair and conversion yards of which twelve are located in North West Europe. Facilities at the yards include more than 50 floating and (covered) drydocks, the largest of which is 420 x 90 metres, as well as slopes, ship lifts and indoor halls. Projects range from the smallest simple repairs through Class’ maintenance to complex refits and the complete conversion of large offshore structures. DSC completes around 1,350 repair and maintenance jobs annually, both at yards as well as in ports and during voyage.