MAASKANT AND EKOFISH GROUP REINVENT THE FISHING VESSEL
A tandem of Pon companies supports the development of a unique fishing boat
AS SUSTAINABLE AS POSSIBLE
Ekofish Group is a progressive Urk family business with a focus on sustainable fishing. The ambition to build a fishing boat that was as sustainable as possible was born a few years ago. Owner Louwe de Boer has this to say about it: "The ambitions were high: this boat must be able to move forward in the next twenty years, be as safe as possible for the crew and use as little energy as possible." The latter requirement was also cast in the tough set of preconditions. Whereas Ekofish currently still consumes half a litre of fuel per kilo of fish caught, the aim was to reduced this to a maximum of 0.3 litres. And that demanded a radically different approach.
LOUWE DE BOER
Owner of the Ekofish Group
"We wanted to build a boat with a wow factor... that worked out pretty well!"
SPES NOVA
a futuristic, unique-looking boat that falls somewhere between a super yacht, a cutter and an assault frigate.
De Boer also had another requirement: “It had to be a ‘sexy’ boat. Everything had to be different. Nicer, more beautiful, tighter. We have been building the same basic model for 30 years, but this boat really had to have a wow factor. So we therefore actually tackled everything differently from the concept phase. For example, we asked yacht architect Vripack Naval Architects to design the boat.”
A ‘SEXY’ BOAT
INNOVATIVE SPIRIT
De Boer took the design to Maaskant Shipyards Stellendam, where director Eric Moerkerk was immediately enthusiastic. He had the following to say about this: “First, there was that crazy exterior, but the entire design, motorisation and construction of the boat still had to be thought out.
The result of that assignment is impressive: the twin trigger/flyshooter, “Spes Nova”, is a futuristic, unique-looking boat that falls somewhere between a super yacht, a cutter and an assault frigate. Whatever you might think of it, it’s certainly a boat with a wow factor.
Given our innovative spirit, this was an assignment that we really wanted to accept. We rolled up our sleeves and started working in a very intensive collaboration with Ekofish.”
We considered various options for the motorisation. De Boer explains: “We didn't want a large, heavy-duty diesel engine. It had to be more sustainable, and 100% of the generated energy had to be used. We finally decided to install a diesel-electric system."
100% USED ENERGY
LOUWE DE BOER
owner of the Ekofish Group
"That boat really is my baby...
I’m super proud!"
Once that choice had been made, Caterpillar came into the picture. De Boer explains: “We had no relationship with Pon Power yet at the time. But one day they called and we started talking. We immediately had a good feeling about it. We realised we could add more allure to this project in a cooperation with Caterpillar. This brand obviously has an impeccable international reputation. So we got going pretty quickly." Noud Seegers, Account Manager Marine at Pon Power, adds: “Pon Power and Caterpillar are working hard to make the fishing industry more sustainable, so when we heard about this progressive boat, we were immediately enthusiastic. We and our sister company, battery manufacturer EST-Floattech, immediately put our shoulders to the wheel.”
A GOOD FEELING
EVERYTHING WE HAD HOPED FOR
And also, as initially intended, one of the sexiest boats. Louwe de Boer explains: “This boat is everything we had hoped for. The process, from a vague idea to the birth of a beautiful boat, was amazing. The Spes Nova really is my baby. I’m super proud of it!”
Finally, we put three identical C18 generator sets of 565 EKW each on board, plus a C4.4 port set of 99 EKW. This fully parallel-operating system was connected to a power management system with batteries from EST-Floattech. All in all, the Spes Nova thereby became one of the most sustainable and innovative boats in Dutch waters.
FACTS &
FIGURES
Maaskant director Eric Moerkerk is also happy with the collaboration and the outcome. This is obviously not the last of these boats. He had the following to say about this: “This exciting, progressive design is currently at the forefront of making the fisheries industry more sustainable. That’s why we’re taking it to the market and we’re expecting a lot from it. For now, we’re looking forward to a bright sustainable future!”
SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
Maaskant Shipyards Stellendam has been building high-quality fishing vessels and sea-going working vessels for more than 70 years. In addition, the company combines decades of know-how and craftsmanship experience with creativity and innovation; something that has made this boatyard one of the most advanced enterprises in its field. So, when their client, Ekofish Group, asked them to help build a progressive, sustainable and very 'sexy' fishing boat, director Eric Moerkerk didn't have to think about it twice.
MAASKANT AND EKOFISH GROUP REINVENT THE FISHING VESSEL
A tandem of Pon companies supports the development of a unique fishing boat
FACTS & FIGURES
EKOFISH:
Urk family business with a focus on innovation and sustainable fishing
UK205 ''SPES NOVA'':
Futuristic twin rigger/flyshooter currently being built by Maaskant Stellendam for Ekofish
MAASKANT STELLENDAM:
Damen-dochter specialises in the construction of fishing vessels and sea-going working vessels
VRIPACK NAVAL ARCHITECTS:
Yacht designer that designed the UK205 "Spes Nova"
EST-FLOATTECH:
Sister company of Pon Power; supplier and developer of high-quality battery and energy storage systems
Maaskant Shipyards Stellendam has been building high-quality fishing vessels and sea-going working vessels for more than 70 years. In addition, the company combines decades of know-how and craftsmanship experience with creativity and innovation; something that has made this boatyard one of the most advanced enterprises in its field. So, when their client, Ekofish Group, asked them to help build a progressive, sustainable and very 'sexy' fishing boat, director Eric Moerkerk didn't have to think about it twice.
AS SUSTAINABLE AS POSSIBLE
Ekofish Group is a progressive Urk family business with a focus on sustainable fishing. The ambition to build a fishing boat that was as sustainable as possible was born a few years ago. Owner Louwe de Boer has this to say about it: "The ambitions were high: this boat must be able to move forward in the next twenty years, be as safe as possible for the crew and use as little energy as possible." The latter requirement was also cast in the tough set of preconditions. Whereas Ekofish currently still consumes half a litre of fuel per kilo of fish caught, the aim was to reduced this to a maximum of 0.3 litres. And that demanded a radically different approach.
"We wanted to build a boat with a wow factor... that worked out pretty well!"
LOUWE DE BOER
Owner of the Ekofish Group
SPES NOVA
a futuristic, unique-looking boat that falls somewhere between a super yacht, a cutter and an assault frigate.
A ‘SEXY’ BOAT
De Boer also had another requirement: “It had to be a ‘sexy’ boat. Everything had to be different. Nicer, more beautiful, tighter. We have been building the same basic model for 30 years, but this boat really had to have a wow factor. So we therefore actually tackled everything differently from the concept phase. For example, we asked yacht architect Vripack Naval Architects to design the boat.”
INNOVATIVE SPIRIT
The result of that assignment is impressive: the twin trigger/flyshooter, “Spes Nova”, is a futuristic, unique-looking boat that falls somewhere between a super yacht, a cutter and an assault frigate. Whatever you might think of it, it’s certainly a boat with a wow factor. De Boer took the design to Maaskant Shipyards Stellendam, where director Eric Moerkerk was immediately enthusiastic. He had the following to say about this: “First, there was that crazy exterior, but the entire design, motorisation and construction of the boat still had to be thought out. Given our innovative spirit, this was an assignment that we really wanted to accept. We rolled up our sleeves and started working in a very intensive collaboration with Ekofish.”
100% USED ENERGY
We considered various options for the motorisation. De Boer explains: “We didn't want a large, heavy-duty diesel engine. It had to be more sustainable, and 100% of the generated energy had to be used. We finally decided to install a diesel-electric system."
"That boat really is my baby...
I’m super proud!"
LOUWE DE BOER
owner of the Ekofish Group
A GOOD FEELING
Once that choice had been made, Caterpillar came into the picture. De Boer explains: “We had no relationship with Pon Power yet at the time. But one day they called and we started talking. We immediately had a good feeling about it. We realised we could add more allure to this project in a cooperation with Caterpillar. This brand obviously has an impeccable international reputation. So we got going pretty quickly." Noud Seegers, Account Manager Marine at Pon Power, adds: “Pon Power and Caterpillar are working hard to make the fishing industry more sustainable, so when we heard about this progressive boat, we were immediately enthusiastic. We and our sister company, battery manufacturer EST-Floattech, immediately put our shoulders to the wheel.”
EVERYTHING WE HAD HOPED FOR
Finally, we put three identical C18 generator sets of 565 EKW each on board, plus a C4.4 port set of 99 EKW. This fully parallel-operating system was connected to a power management system with batteries from EST-Floattech. All in all, the Spes Nova thereby became one of the most sustainable and innovative boats in Dutch waters. And also, as initially intended, one of the sexiest boats. Louwe de Boer explains: “This boat is everything we had hoped for. The process, from a vague idea to the birth of a beautiful boat, was amazing. The Spes Nova really is my baby. I’m super proud of it!”
SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
Maaskant director Eric Moerkerk is also happy with the collaboration and the outcome. This is obviously not the last of these boats. He had the following to say about this: “This exciting, progressive design is currently at the forefront of making the fisheries industry more sustainable. That’s why we’re taking it to the market and we’re expecting a lot from it. For now, we’re looking forward to a bright sustainable future!”