UK Fisheries – a subsidiary of Alda Seafood – and Lockers Trawlers have signed an agreement with Whitby, England-based Parkol Marine Engineering for two new 24-meter trawlers.
The two new vessels will be launched in 2027 and, when completed, will have a gross tonnage of 400 metric tons (MT) and be able to hold 200 cubic meters of fish. The trawlers will be able to operate either singly or as a pair, and the companies said they will be a new class of vessels built wholly inside the U.K.
“This is a great day for fishing in the U.K.,” Lockers Trawlers Managing Director Arnold Locker said in a release. “Our partnership with U.K. Fisheries means that together we can invest in Yorkshire shipbuilding and ensure British fishers have the very best and most sustainable equipment for catching whitefish in the North Sea.”
UK Fisheries General Manager Rebecca Bennett said the deal showcases the company’s commitment to fishing in the U.K. and will also enhance the sustainability of the sector by reducing its environmental footprint.
“This project will directly support skilled jobs in the U.K. – from shipbuilding to fishing communities – reinforcing the importance of investing in local industries,” Bennett said. “This investment demonstrates our ongoing dedication to both innovation and sustainability.”
Parkol Marine Engineering Commercial Director Sally Atkinson said the project also directly aligns with the National Shipbuilding Office’s strategy to retain shipbuilding business for U.K. firms and will help maintain the industry.
“We are delighted to receive the orders for two new fishing vessels for Lockers Trawlers and UK Fisheries,” Atkinson said. “This marks a major milestone in our 40-year relationship with Lockers and presents a new opportunity to work with UK Fisheries.”
The companies did not disclose the cost of the two new vessels.
