Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.-based fishing company Arctic Storm Management Group has signed a GBP 15 million (USD 20 million, EUR 22.7 million) contract with Rolls-Royce for the construction of a 100-meter-long pelagic trawler.
The contract represents the latest step in the ongoing modernization of the fishing fleet in the U.S. Pacific Northwest.
Arctic Storm Management Group oversees the fishing and processing of four fishing vessels operating in the waters of Alaska and the West Coast. The new vessel will be used for catching and processing pollock and cod fillets, surimi, fishmeal, and fish oil, according to Arctic Storm CEO Doug Christensen.
“This will be the largest and most advanced fishing vessel ever to be built in the U.S.,” Christensen said in a press release.
The contract calls for delivery of the Rolls-Royce NVC 336 WP design vessel in 2021. It is the largest fishing vessel contract to-date for Rolls-Royce Marine, and also represents the company’s first U.S.-built project. Rolls-Royce has subcontracted with Thoma-Sea Marine Constructors, L.L.C. in Louisiana, U.S.A., for the development of the trawler.
“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,” Rolls-Royce Marine Senior Vice President Knut Eilert Røsvik said. “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.”
Arctic Storm will work closely with Rolls-Royce on the design of the ship, which will be outfitted with an integrated package of advanced technology and equipment, and living quarters for 150 crewmembers. Arctic Storm’s has set requirements for reduced fuel consumption and emissions and low noise and vibration levels, Rolls-Royce said.
“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,” Christensen said. “We strive towards continuous improvement in everything we do, however this investment will take us a giant step forward.”
