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Concorde design by Naval Consultant Herman Jansen proves its value once again
With the commissioning of the UK-46 Willeke, a proven design has once again successfully joined the Dutch fishing fleet. Built to the trusted Concorde concept developed by Naval Consultant Herman Jansen, the new beam trawler is the first of its kind to be added to the national fleet in over twelve years. Measuring just over 41 metres, the vessel was completed at Maaskant Shipyards in Stellendam, using a hull that had been in storage since 2006. Commissioned by the Hakvoort family of Urk, the UK-46 represents a strong signal of long-term confidence in the sector — even amid current market uncertainty.
Design, construction and handover
The UK-46 shares its hull design with earlier Concorde-series vessels such as the GO-22 and BR-14. The robust hull form, drawn and developed by Naval Consultant Herman Jansen, is known for its stability, versatility, and long service life. The UK-46 was built as yard number 591 at Maaskant and officially handed over on 23 March to the four Hakvoort brothers. The vessel is named after Willeke, the late daughter of one of the partners. During the flag ceremony, skipper Jan Hakvoort and Maaskant director Frits van Dongen both expressed pride in the result. “Maaskant may not be the cheapest, but they are the best,” said Hakvoort. With both the UK-45 and the new UK-46 in operation, the family business now has a solid and future-proof two-vessel fleet.
Technical outfitting
The UK-46 measures 41.05 metres in length, 9.00 metres in beam and has a depth of 5.10 metres. It is powered by an ABC 12DZC main engine producing 1,471 kW, connected via a Reintjes WAF 3455 gearbox to an AMW Marine four-bladed propeller with a diameter of 3,600 mm. The propeller operates within a DMC nozzle with a stainless steel inner ring. The winch and bow thruster system uses modular frequency-controlled drives by Bakker Sliedrecht. Maaskant also developed and manufactured the ten-drum winch, which features a dual input shaft to accommodate two 88 kW motors. The refrigeration system, supplied by Promac, uses a low-GWP refrigerant. A notable design feature is the steel wheelhouse — chosen deliberately for durability and maintenance savings, in contrast to aluminium solutions more common today.
Perspective and fleet renewal
The completion of the UK-46 — based on a design that had been waiting in the wings for years — demonstrates how timeless design principles can regain relevance in a modern context. Several sons of the Hakvoort brothers have joined the crew, ensuring generational continuity in the family business. Although the vessel was originally intended for pulse trawling, the uncertain regulatory outlook led to a return to traditional beam trawl configuration. This again underscores the strength of the Concorde design: adaptable in construction, efficient in use, and structurally sound for the long haul.