Thoma-Sea to build advanced Rolls-Royce design pelagic trawler

Arctic Storm says vessel will be the largest and most advanced fishing vessel ever to be built in the U.S.

JUNE 11, 2018 — Houma, LA, shipbuilder Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors, L.L.C. has signed a contract with Rolls-Royce Marine for the development of a state-of-the-art pelagic trawler. The 100 meter-long vessel is to be built for the Seattle based company Arctic Storm Management Group, LLC.

“This will be the largest and most advanced fishing vessel ever to be built in the U.S.,” said Doug Christensen, CEO of Arctic Storm Management Group. “The fact that both the design and the supply and integration of the comprehensive equipment package is provided from, and coordinated by, Rolls-Royce is a key enabler for us.”

The trawler will be the first Rolls-Royce design fishing vessel to be built in a U.S. shipyard and the design and equipment is the largest fishing vessel contract booked by Rolls-Royce with a value of about £15 million (about $20 million).

Rolls-Royce has been working closely with the owner, Arctic Storm, in developing this latest design, and the vessel will be equipped with a processing plant for fillet, surimi, fishmeal and fish oil. It will also be able to accommodate a crew of more than 150 people.

Doug Christensen, CEO of Arctic Storm Management Group, said: “This will be the largest and most advanced fishing vessel ever to be built in the U.S. The fact that both the design and the supply and integration of the comprehensive equipment package is provided from, and coordinated by, Rolls-Royce is a key enabler for us.”

The vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2021, and it will be 100 meters long, with a beam of 21 meters. The new trawler is a Rolls-Royce NVC 336 WP design arranged for pelagic trawl operation in the North Pacific waters catching wild Alaska Pollock and cod fish.

In addition to the design, Rolls-Royce will deliver an integrated package of advanced ship technology and equipment to the vessel. Deliveries will include the propulsion system based around a Bergen B33:45 main engine in combination with Bergen generator sets. This arrangement is deigned to optimize and meet the requirements for low fuel consumption, reduced emissions and low noise and vibration levels. Included in the Rolls-Rolls supply are also the bow thruster, deck machinery systems, automation & control systems, power electrical system, steering gear and a flap rudder.

Walter Thomassie, Managing Director of Thoma-Sea Marine Constructor, said: “We are very happy about this contract which could open possibilities within a new segment for us. Our Louisiana-based shipyard and Rolls-Royce have worked well together before, and we feel confident that this project will follow the same successful path.”

Commenting on the choice of Rolls-Royce as the ship’s developer, Doug Christensen added: “It is a critical factor to have a technology partner with a strong presence in the region who are able to support the construction of the vessel at the yard, in addition to having a strong service organization to support us during operations. We strive towards continuous improvement in everything we do, however this investment will take us a giant step forward.”

Knut Eilert Røsvik, Rolls-Royce – Marine, SVP Ship Design & Systems, said: “Arctic Storm Management Group is a long-time customer of our products and services, and we are of course delighted that they have now chosen a complete Rolls-Royce design and integrated system solution for their newbuilding. Arctic Storm’s long experience in this type of fishery is of high value in our design development phase. We are not only creating a fishing vessel together, but also a fully equipped, floating fish processing plant.”