AWARDS 2024 | Best Large Seiner – Havsnurp – Karstensens Skibsvaerft

The repeat purchases of Karstensens-built ships by experienced Scandinavian owners are testament to the Danish shipyard's quality of output.

This time it is a Norwegian family that has acquired another new, yacht-like showcase of Scandinavian shipbuilding and fishing equipment technology.

A 17.5-knot seiner/trawler focusing on whitefish, herring and mackerel, the very versatile Havsnurp, like most of her siblings, can fish almost anywhere, anytime and do so safely, comfortably and with minimal fuel consumption.

"Havsnurp is rather unique in the matter that she is the first combined seiner/trawler of her size arranged with full purse seining equipment as well as a vast trawl deck with side-by-side net drums and a factory deck for handling by-catched white fish," Kent Damgaard, Yard Director at Karstensens Skibsværft, told Baird Maritime.

"Havsnurp is also first of her size combined seiner/trawler with the distinct yacht-design superstructure."

Damgaard pointed out the challenge in combining the superstructure design with full functionality of a starboard-arranged pursing deck, though the results turned out to be satisfactory and the owners were delighted with the resulting performance.

Despite a number of unforeseen challenges in recent years, the Karstensens team is confident moving forward.

"We have a healthy order book, with 19 newbuildings for next three years," said Damgaard. "Having overcome Covid-19 issues, Ukrainian War [-related] issues with regard to supplies, and interest rates being sky-high, we are indeed optimistic for the future."

Damgaard said Karstensens is also looking forward to participating in the Danish Navy's fleet renewal programme.

For a list of the 2024 "Best Of" award winners, please click here.