Kleven books order for two Rolls-Royce design stern trawlers

Vessels will be among first fishing vessels with Roll-Royce wave piercing bow

JUNE 22, 2015 — Norwegian shipbuilder Kleven has won an order to build two stern trawlers for DFFU, a wholly owned German subsidiary of leading Icelandic seafood company Samherji. They will be be built to Rolls-Royce’s NVC 374 WP design and are to be delivered from Kleven’s Myklebust shipyard, in February and June 2017.

They will be among the first fishing vessels to feature Rolls-Royce’s wave piercing bow.

“Our aim is sustainable fishing and these two new vessels mark an important next step in our company’s development, said Torstein Mar Baldvinson, CEO of the Samherji Group, which is among the world’s largest investors in the shipping industry.

“A huge improvement in the working and living conditions for our crew is a main objective for making this commitment,” said Mr. Baldvinson. “As well as fulfilling significant environmental criteria, we are confident that these vessels – designed and built in Norway – will take the company and its employees into a positive future development.”

The vessels will be 80 m long and with hulls of ICE 1A* class and will incorporate an onboard factory for the production of fish filets. Each will have a storage capacity of 1,400 cu. m and a 550 cu.m packaging and freezer room on deck.
They will be equipped with a wide range of Rolls-Royce equipment, including main engines, thrusters, automation, winches and the fuel efficient wave piercing design.

Operational efficiency, low emissions, crew comfort, safety and excellent seakeeping capabilities were the main considerations in the development of the ship design and equipment package.

“It’s been a pleasure working with such a knowledgeable yard and owner to prepare this contract,” said John Knudsen, Rolls-Royce President Commercial Marine. “Our design and equipment will help ensure that this will be among the most effective and modern fishing vessels in the world. Both vessels will be equipped with our latest B33:45 engine and they will be the first among fishing vessels to feature our wave piercing bow design.”

This is the second fishing industry contract signed in June for a Rolls-Royce designed vessel to be built by Kleven’s Myklebust yard. On June 13, Rolls-Royce and Kleven announced an order for a Live Fish Carrier for Sølvtrans AS, one of the world’s largest transporters of live fish.

“Fishing vessels were the starting point for our 100 year long history as shipbuilders. With contracts for three new vessels, all of Rolls-Royce design, in just a few days, we have secured continuity for our employees at Myklebust Verft in a market that is extremely tough at the moment,” said Ståle Rasmussen, CEO of Kleven.