The Simpson family in Fraserburgh have placed an order with the Karstensen yard in Skagen for a new 77 metre pelagic trawler to be delivered in July 2023.
The new vessel will be the latest to carry the Christina S name, and it will be owned and operated by the Simpson family in partnership with P & J Johnston (Christian Marr). The current 72 metre Christina S is to be sold when its replacement is delivered, and the new vessel will operate on the same fisheries for herring, mackerel and blue whiting.
The new pelagic trawler, the first order for a new vessel placed with Karstensen by the Simpson family although they have a long working relationship going back more than thirty years, is also a Karstensen design with a 77 metre overall length and a 15.60 metre beam. It will be powered by a complete Wärtsilä propulsion package, including a 7320kW 12V31 main engine.
After five decades at the head of the family business, Ernest (Ernie) Simpson has stepped back, passing on the management of the company to Allan Simpson, who will also skipper the new vessel as he has done the current Christina S.
‘The Karstensen Shipyard is extremely proud of this new order, which continues a longstanding working relationship with the Simpson family,‘ said the yard’s Kent Damgaard.
‘We have worked together for more than thirty years, during which Sedulous and three Christina S’s have been regular callers at the yard for repairs and maintenance. But this is the first newbuild order that the Simpson family has placed with Karstensen.’
He commented that focus in the design process has been on optimising catch quality and hygiene, in order to allow new Christina S to land first class quality catches, while close attention has been paid to optimising the working environment as well as safety and comfort for the crew. The yard currently has nine pelagic vessels on order or at varying stages of construction for delivery over the next two years.
