Havara sets sail for Shetland salmon farms
Pearson Marine • December 1, 2020
It's always a pleasure to blog about the work we’ve done with UK shipbuilder Parkol Marine Engineering, and the recent launch of the Havara continues their (and our!) success story.
Parkol has garnered an impressive reputation over the past 50 years for designing and building the highest quality fishing vessels, but Havara is a different kind of project as it is designed not for fishing, but for carrying feed to salmon farms in the Shetland Islands.


The Project
Pearson Marine played a key role in the construction of Havara, a 260-tonne, 27-metre-long twin-screw feed carrier built by Parkol Marine Engineering at its Middlesbrough yard.
Following successful sea trials, Havara began operating across the North Sea and Atlantic Ocean, transporting 1.25-tonne bags of feed to salmon farms around Shetland and the west coast of Scotland.
As part of the project, Pearson Electrical was commissioned to undertake the vessel’s full electrical installation, working closely with the Parkol team throughout the build.
Delivering During the COVID-19 Pandemic
The project was completed during the coronavirus pandemic, presenting additional challenges for everyone involved. Despite restrictions, the Pearson Marine and Parkol teams adapted their working practices to keep the project moving while maintaining COVID-secure working conditions.
Havara’s joint owner and skipper, Colin Kay of Shetland LCL Shipping, praised both companies for the quality of the completed vessel and the service he received throughout the project:
“Overall I’ve been very impressed with the service and quality provided by both Parkol and Pearson Marine.”
Despite being unable to visit the vessel during lockdown, communication continued remotely through WhatsApp and video calls, allowing the teams to maintain a strong working relationship and successfully deliver the project.
A Bespoke Feed Carrier
Havara was designed specifically to meet the changing requirements of Colin’s fish feed transportation operation.
The vessel was capable of carrying larger 1.25-tonne feed bags and incorporated a larger engine and crane alongside semi-automatic hydraulically operated hatches. These features helped the crew carry more cargo while making deliveries quicker and more efficient.
The vessel was also fitted out to accommodate a five-person crew, with five cabins and high-quality finishing throughout.
Reflecting on the finished vessel, Colin said:
“The quality of the finish is superb, my crew are all very happy.”
Pearson Electrical’s Role
Speaking about Pearson Marine involvement in the project at the time, our Managing Director, Mark Pearson, explained:
“We were commissioned to undertake a full electrical installation for Havara. During the lockdown we’ve made it a priority to keeping our clients’ projects moving, while maintaining the safety of everyone involved and adhering to government guidelines.”
Working alongside Parkol, our electrical installation teams were able to continue operating safely and efficiently despite the unprecedented circumstances.
Mark added:
“The pandemic may have caused us to change some of our ways of working but it hasn’t slowed us down.”
The successful completion of Havara demonstrated Pearson Marine ability to deliver complex marine electrical installations while adapting to challenging working environments and strict project requirements.
Parkol Project Manager and Director Sally Atkinson also recognised the contribution made by our team:
“As always, it was a pleasure to work with Pearson Marine, who were able to continue to deliver their excellent service despite the challenges of the COVID-19 lockdown.”
Havara statistics
Length Overall 27.00m
Length Registered 23.95m
Length BP 24.25m
Breadth Moulded 9.70m
Amidships Depth Moulded 4.80m
Fuel Capacity 15,000 litres approx (2 main tanks)
Fresh Water Capacity 3,000 litres approx Water Ballast 11 tanks
Maximum Summer Deadweight 350 tonnes approx (assuming 1.00 metre freeboard being accepted.)
Operating Speed 9 knots
Compliment 5 crew
Two off main engines for propulsion: Model – Cummins KTA19-M3 447kw@1800rpm
If you would like our help with an industrial electrical project or problem, don’t hesitate to contact us via info@pearson-marine.co.uk or 01482 225080.
Photos courtesy of Mike Upton

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