The combined purse seiner and trawler ‘Sæbjørn’ commissioned from Karstensens Shipyard
The shipping company Sæbjørn AS has commissioned a new 69.99-metre combined purse seiner and trawler vessel from Karstensens Shipyard A/S. The vessel is scheduled for delivery in September 2027.
Sæbjørn AS was founded in 1957 by Knut Sævik and has always been based in Vartdal, a location with proud fishing traditions. “Sæbjørn” is currently the only ocean-going fishing vessel registered in Vartdal.
Today, the company is owned by the second and third generations of the Sævik family: Inger Marte Sævik, Bente K Sævik, Inger Mari Vik, Knut Arne Vik, and Kjell Sævik. Kjell Sævik was skipper of “Sæbjørn” for many years, a role now held by Knut Arne Vik. The fourth generation is also actively involved in the company.
The current “Sæbjørn” was acquired as a new build by the company from Eidsvik Shipbuilding in 1996, marking the first phase in the renewal of the Norwegian purse seine fleet. “Sæbjørn” has served the company faithfully for almost 30 years, and a renewal is now deemed appropriate.
The company engages in combined trawling and purse seine fishing, with trawling primarily focused on blue whiting (Norwegian: Kolmule) west of Ireland. Other fishing, mainly for herring and mackerel, is conducted with purse seines. The new vessel will operate according to these same principles.
This marks the first collaboration between the company and the shipyard. Both parties enjoyed a productive and constructive phase before the contract was signed and look forward to working together on this exciting project.
Karstensens Shipyard expresses its gratitude and humility for the loyalty and trust shown by Sæbjørn AS in contracting their new ship in Skagen.
Skilled and loyal employees at all levels, who take pride in delivering a quality product and maintaining a good dialogue with customers, are hallmarks of Karstensens Shipyard.
The overall new building concept has been assessed by the company as both economically and technically highly attractive. It was also crucial for the company to have full influence over the design phase, ensuring the project is tailored to meet their specific desires and requirements. The new “Sæbjørn” will be a near-sister ship to KS #488 “Leinebjørn,” enabling good synergy and collaboration between the two companies and the shipyard.
The design, layout, and arrangements have been developed in close cooperation between the company and the shipyard, with a particular focus on optimising working conditions, safety, and comfort for the crew.
Like other pelagic vessels being built by the shipyard for owners in Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Scotland, and Norway, the new “Sæbjørn” features the shipyard’s own design. The hull will be constructed at Karstensen Shipyard Poland.
Suppliers are being selected based on criteria such as sustainability, energy optimisation, innovation, quality, and operational reliability.
The complete ship design, including the propulsion system, has been carefully assessed and calculated based on the company’s operational profile. In line with the desire to perform sustainable fishing with minimal NOX/CO2 emissions per kilogram of fish caught, thus optimising fuel costs, a main engine of 3600 kW has been chosen, along with a large, slow-turning propeller with a diameter of 4500 mm.
The main engine will be supplied by Bergen Engines, while the gearbox and propeller system will be delivered by Norwegian company Brunvoll.
Main Dimensions of the Vessel:
- Length overall: 69.99 m
- Moulded breadth: 14.80 m
- Greatest breadth: 15.50 m
- Depth to shelter deck: 8.30 m
- Loading capacity, RSW tanks: 1955 m³
Other Technical Specifications:
- Main engine system: Bergen Engines
- Gear-propeller system: Brunvoll Volda
- Auxiliary machinery: Scania, 3 x 600 kW
- Side thrusters: 2 x Brunvoll, 950 kW