Lithuanian naval architect Western Baltic Engineering (WBE) is planning to showcase a new trawler design at the Scottish Skipper Expo in May.
The design emphasises high performance, large cargo capacity and crew comfort, according to WBE’s senior sales manager Chris Cowan.
‘We’ve created a workhorse of a trawler that doesn’t sacrifice crew comfort,’ he said of the 49.50 metre concept that has a 1300 cubic metre fishroom capacity and a planned service speed of 12 knots.
Designed for 16 crew in single cabins, the accommodation space includes a gym and sauna, as well as a spacious mess room and lounge area.
Chris Cowan said the initial work got underway after WBE was contacted by an Icelandic company looking to remodel an existing WBE trawler design to better suit the market and meet today’s fishing industry demands.
‘The trawler we have created has a modern hull shape, is compact and is designed to be a hard-working vessel while still offering crew comfort, and stability,’ he said.
‘By maximising equipment on deck and the factory space, we were able to provide a very generous cargo area for a vessel of this size. This design is a starting point, and the idea is that we can and will adapt the vessel to an individual client’s wishes. For example, the vessel would be currently powered by a Tier III Wärtsila engine, but this can be adapted to suit client’s wishes.’
He commented that there is already interest from Scandinavia and South America.
‘We are expecting that interest will increase when the design is unveiled to the fishing industry in Scotland in May,’ he said.
