Australian operator Austral Fisheries has gone to Norway for the design and construction of a highly innovative new fishing vessel capable of alternating three different fishing methods.
Cape Arkona is designed by Skipskompetanse and the design brief included coming up with a layout that would make it possible to combine autoline, trap and trawl methods in a single versatile vessel. The result is design package that is expected to set new standards in multi-purpose fishing operations.
In line with Austral Fisheries’ extensive commitments to sustainability, a great deal of emphasis has been placed on future-proofing and making Cape Arkona’s design as environmentally friendly as can be achieved.
The Baatbygg yard at Måløy in western Norway has signed a contract to deliver Cape Arkona, which renews Austral’s longstanding relationship with the yard which has previously completed projects for the company, including the conversion in 2015 of Norwegian pelagic vessel Østerbris into multi-purpose fishing vessel Atlas Cove.
“We are proud and honoured to be working with Austral Fisheries on this groundbreaking newbuild project,” said Baatbygg CEO Kjell Inge Sjaastad.
“The fact that Austral again has chosen Baatbygg as their partner after several successful conversion projects confirms our good relationship and Baatbygg’s position as a reliable supplier and partner.”
Cape Arkona will have an overall length of 66.90 metres, a 15 metre beam and a 1200m3 fishroom capacity. The main engine will be a 3000kW unit as part of a tailored father-and-son hybrid propulsion system with triple redundancy, plus there is a dedicated space for battery installation in future. Trawl winches will be electric. Cape Arkona is to be prepared for SCR to comply with future IMO Tier III requirements. There is to be a 35-40 dB reduction in exhaust noise, contributing to crew comfort.
Fiskevegn have been awarded the contract to supply a 61,000 hook capacity BFG autoline and auto baiting system.
Cape Arkona will be built at the Baatbygg yard at Raudeberg near Måløy and is expected to be delivered by April 2020.
“We are delighted to be working with Baatbygg on this important project,” commented Austral Fisheries CEO David Carter.
“For us the choice was easy. We have worked together on various refurbishment projects over the past eight years. This experience gives us every confidence that we will get a superb new boat, delivered on time and on budget.”
