After a long search for a suitable second-hand vessel to replace Zeebrugge beam trawler van Eyck Z-53, the Savels family have decided to build a new vessel and have signed an agreement with the Padmos yard in Stellendam which will deliver the new van Eyck in the second half of 2023.
According to Jason Savels, the decision is largely due to the success of new beam trawlers Z-483, Z-98, and Z-39 that have been delivered by Padmos to owners in Belgium over the last couple of years, and they have opted to go for a similar package, capable of beam trawling as well as twin-rigging for langoustines on a seasonal basis.
‘The current van Eyck has put us where we are now. But this fine trawler is ready for replacement after forty years of fishing, even though she is doing well,’ he reported.
‘It’s a big step to make this kind of investment in these uncertain times . On the other hand, a new vessel with fuel consumption is what is needed to cope with the rising costs. Reducing fuel consumption alone is a huge step in the right direction to landing fresh fish in the most sustainable way possible.’
‘We’re still young and have a long way to go ahead of us,’ he said, adding that they aim to build on the foundations laid by the generation before them.
‘Thanks to Mum and Dad, we are happy to go ahead, together with our crew who are the backbone of the company,’ Jason Savels said.
‘We’re looking forward to putting the new beamer into operation.’
