Marine Finance Direct - Indicative Rate Table (October 2026)
| Finance Type | Indicative Rate | Min Loan | Max Loan | Max LTV | Max Term | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Specialist HP (commercial, new) | 8–10.5% | £25,000 | £750,000 | 70% | 7 yr | Marine-specialist lender; strong sector knowledge |
| Specialist HP (used vessel) | 9–14% | £25,000 | £500,000 | 65% | 5 yr | Older and non-standard vessels considered |
| Marine Refinance | 9–13% | £25,000 | £400,000 | 65% | 5 yr | Release equity from existing commercial vessel |
Rates are indicative for October 2026 and subject to underwriting, vessel survey and credit assessment.
About Marine Finance Direct Fishing Vessel Finance
Marine Finance Direct is a specialist marine lender that focuses exclusively on the marine sector - including both leisure and commercial vessels. Their deep sector knowledge and exclusive focus on marine assets means their credit team genuinely understands the nuances of commercial fishing operations: MCA coding, fishing licence requirements, quota systems, seasonal income patterns, and the specific maintenance and survey obligations that affect vessel values.
Operating in the £25k–£750k range, Marine Finance Direct fills an important gap in the market for mid-to-smaller commercial fishing vessel purchases where the specialist marine knowledge of the lender genuinely adds value. Their credit team will engage with older vessels, non-standard hull types and unusual vessel configurations that would be declined by more generalist lenders.
The trade-off for Marine Finance Direct's specialisation and flexibility is rate - at 8–14%, their products are priced above the mainstream market. In October 2026, we recommend Marine Finance Direct primarily for transactions where the vessel's characteristics or the borrower's profile means mainstream lenders are not viable, or where the application requires a lender with genuine marine expertise to assess the asset correctly.
Strengths
- Exclusive marine sector focus - credit decisions made by people who understand commercial fishing vessels
- Will consider older vessels, non-standard hull types and unusual configurations that generalists decline
- £25,000 minimum covers the full range of inshore commercial fishing vessels
- Marine refinance product allows equity release from vessels owned outright - useful for refit or quota purchase funding
Limitations / Things to Know
- Higher rates than mainstream alternatives - 8–14% vs 6.5–9% at Close Brothers or Hampshire Trust
- 70% maximum LTV means a 30% deposit is required, which is more demanding than some alternatives
- 5-year term on used vessels means higher monthly repayments on mid-range transactions
Is Marine Finance Direct Right for My Fishing Vessel?
Marine Finance Direct is the right choice where the vessel or borrower profile requires genuine marine expertise to assess - older vessels, unusual hull types, or non-standard configurations. For straightforward MCA-coded vessel purchases by established businesses, the rate premium is not justified and we would use Close Brothers or Hampshire Trust. But for complex marine transactions, Marine Finance Direct's sector knowledge is genuinely valuable.
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See how Marine Finance Direct compares in our full lender comparison, or return to the hub.