Arpège, A new concept of 25m Diesel-electric trawler

Arpège - a prototype result of 36 months of collaborative R&D

This project is partially funded by the French agency “Agence de l’Environnement et de la Maitrise de l’Energie - ADEME” in the scope of the research program “Navire du Futur”. Within the scope of this project, a prototype of a new concept of 25m diesel-electric fishing trawler shall be built and then tested at sea during 6 months, in fishing operation.

The partners of the ARPEGE project are: SOCARENAM (Shipyard – in charge of the building of the prototype), Bureau MAURIC (Naval architect, in charge of design and technical coordination of the studies), ENAG (electrician, in charge of the studies and supply of the power plant and electric propulsion), MARINELEC (electronics specialist, in charge of the studies and supply of the power management system), IXBLUE (navigation systems specialist, in charge of the studies and supply of a 3D-sonar developed to detect wrecks or irregularities on the sea bed, with a high risk of hooking the trawl).

Prior to the building of the prototype, significant work has been carried out by MAURIC naval architect Team, in close relationship with the Owner Alexis Hagneré, to develop the specifications of this new vessel: Evaluation of the right requirement; proposal and comparison of several layouts; definition and selection of the most relevant equipment, in accordance with the Owner’s needs.

An innovative concept of diesel-electric trawler

The result of this approach led to retain a highly innovative concept of diesel-electric fishing trawler, particularly focused on four main objectives: Significantly reduce the gasoil consumption and operating cost, increase ship safety, improve quality of life and work conditions on board, and increase the profitability of the vessel:

• a new hull form specifically studied in terms of reduction of gasoil consumption, sea keeping and dynamic stability,
• a major change in the architecture of propulsion, based on 2 shaft lines with FPP propellers and driven by electric motors,
• the installation of electrically-driven fishing equipment,
• a reorganization of work areas and fish hold to improve the quality and preservation of fishing capture,
• an overhaul of the organization of work areas and living areas,
• Specific noise insulation and vibration reduction devices with the objective to significantly reduce noise and vibration levels, on board.
• The development and installation of an efficient power plant and power management system. The use of a single energy source (electricity) reduces the energy loss.
• The installation of a 3D-sonar dedicated to the detection of wrecks or irregularities to reduce the risks of hooking the trawl on the sea bed

After validation of the prototype at sea, the aim of the ARPEGE project is to propose a new concept of safer, more profitable and less oil consumer. As soon as the project will be finished it shall provide a new reference for the renewal of the French and European ageing fishing fleet. A new product line fishing trawlers, built in series and based on the ARPEGE prototype, shall be proposed to the fishing market.

More characteristics

ARPEGE is a mass of innovation in order to offer a fishing tool safer, more efficient and more profitable. The complete architecture of the vessel has been reworked from standards (of the profession) to integrate different innovative solutions. The aim was to conceive a polyvalent fishing vessel able to do a demersal trawl, Danish seine or pelagic trawl in order to consider a diversification of fishing activities according to the quotas or rules in effect. Main characteristics:

• Hull length = 24.99m
• Moulded breadth = 8.50m
• Draft (max) = 3.40m
• Displacement = approx. 300 t
• Max speed = 10kts
• Bollard Pull = 8T
• Crew = 8 persons
• Gross Tonnage = 210 UMS
• Propulsion power = 2x220 kW (electric motors)
• Generator sets = 2x430 kWe
• Fishing type : Bottom trawling, pelagic trawling, fly shooting
• Fish Hold = 80m3