The scope of the project is to work with all components of energy utilization on the vessel in order to create a new concept of a shrimp trawler in the Wadden Sea.The new concept will target replacement of a large part of the present fleet of 450 vessels. The scope of development is to reduce profit to half and hence double profits of the shrimp trawlers. As fuel is the most important cost factor energy consumption is essential to reduce cost.

The project will address all important categories of energy consumption on the vessel, but in particular the following will be important:

• The shape of the hull will be optimized in order to allow for two propellers instead of one. Establish the optimal shape of the hull taking into account the use of the vessel (steaming time><fishing time).

• Optimize fuel consumption by using two big propellers instead of one small.

• Optimize energy consumption by using a hydro electric hybrid propulsion system if profitable.

• Optimize the catch per hour and the drag of the gear. The gear consist of two small beam trawls. Their size are fixed by regulation. Catch optimization must therefore target catch efficiency and drag of trawl and beam.

No detection of shrimp can be done by electronic means. The project intends to develop a system with continuous harvesting. This will allow the skipper to pursue the catchopportunities as they appear rather than when the trawl is taken on board.

The drag from the trawl will be reduced by using a thinner and stronger material in the net as is presently the case. The trawl is presently spread by a 1,4 t iron bar. The project will replace this by a hydrodynamic wing instead.

• The catch is frozen on board. The project will use the surplus heat from the engine to cut freezing costs.

Once the results are demonstrated this information will be used in a targeted information campaign to the relevant fishermen along the North Sea coast.