New beam trawler joins Rederij Long Ships fleet

Damen Maaskant Shipyards Stellendam has delivered a new 38-metre beam trawler to Belgian family-owned fishing company Rederij Long Ships.

Damen said the trawler, which has been named Franson, is of a new design that features the maximum tonnage and length permitted by the Belgian Maritime Inspectorate. The vessel has also been further modified to ensure a 12 per cent increase in bollard pull during trawling.

The trawler’s hull was built in Poland and later transported to Stellendam in the Netherlands for final outfitting.

Franson will be used to fish year-round in the waters of the North Sea and the Skagerrak as well as in the Bay of Biscay during the summer months.