Fishing Vessel Finance
Finance for UK fishing vessels - inshore day-boats, offshore trawlers, scallop dredgers, and pelagic vessels. Marine mortgage and hire purchase from specialist commercial marine lenders who understand the UK fishing industry, quota, and seasonal income.
The right structure for every fishing vessel requirement
Inshore Day-Boat Finance
Finance for inshore fishing vessels - potting boats, day-boats, and small commercial fishing craft up to 12 metres. Specialist commercial marine lenders who understand inshore fishing income.
Offshore Trawler Finance
Finance for offshore beam trawlers, otter trawlers, and demersal fishing vessels. Higher-value assets assessed by specialist lenders familiar with offshore fishing income and quota position.
Scallop & Shellfish Vessel Finance
Finance for scallop dredgers and shellfish gathering vessels. Specialist lenders who understand seasonal shellfish harvesting income and the MCA survey requirements for these vessel types.
Aquaculture & Workboat Finance
Finance for aquaculture service vessels, fish farm workboats, and specialist aquaculture craft. A growing sector with increasing specialist lender appetite.
Marine Mortgage for Fishing Vessels
Long-term marine mortgage for higher-value fishing vessels. Lower monthly payments over 10-15 years - appropriate for vessel values that support a longer-term finance structure.
Fishing Vessel Refinance
Release capital from a fishing vessel already owned. Useful for fishing businesses funding quota purchases, gear investment, or business expansion.
How it works
Vessel and licence details
Vessel type, LOA, year, engine, MCA category, fishing licence position, quota holding, and main species targeted.
Specialist lender sourcing
Commercial fishing vessel lenders - Bibby/BFS Marine Finance and others with deep fishing sector experience. Indicative terms within 48-72 hours.
Income and survey assessment
Landing records, fishing income, and full marine survey by a surveyor experienced in fishing vessel assessment.
Completion
Marine mortgage or hire purchase completion with specialist maritime solicitors.
Ready to discuss Fishing Vessel Finance?
Call 0204 6211776 or complete our enquiry form. Indicative terms typically within hours.
What is Commercial Fishing Vessel Finance?
Commercial fishing vessel finance is specialist asset finance used to purchase, refinance or upgrade commercially coded fishing vessels operated as working businesses. It covers beam trawlers, otter trawlers, pelagic trawlers, scallop dredgers, static netters, shellfish boats, lobster boats, creel boats and mussel dredgers - any vessel that earns its living from the sea.
Unlike leisure marine finance, commercial fishing vessel lending is underwritten against the vessel's earning capacity, its Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) coding, the borrower's fishing licence and quota allocation, and the company's trading accounts. Lenders treat these assets differently from leisure yachts because they are revenue-generating business assets with defined operating parameters.
Doulton Bridging Finance acts as a specialist whole-of-market broker, comparing rates and structures across 14 lenders active in this sector - from high-street banks offering the most competitive rates for larger, well-coded vessels, through to specialist marine and asset finance providers who will lend where the banks will not.
Vessel Types We Finance
Trawlers
Beam, otter and pelagic trawlers. Typically £150k–£2m+. Strong lender appetite for MCA-coded vessels with quota.
Scallop Dredgers
Scallop dredgers and scallopers operating under ICES management. Values typically £150k–£600k.
Shellfish Boats
Whelk boats, cockle dredgers, mussel dredgers and bivalve vessels. Smaller tickets £50k–£250k.
Lobster & Creel Boats
Inshore creel boats and lobster vessels. Often below £100k - specialist lenders essential.
Static Netters
Gill-net and trammel vessels. Mid-range tickets with good appetite from asset finance specialists.
Mussel Dredgers
Aquaculture and wild-catch mussel vessels. Lender appetite varies - specialist knowledge required.
All Lenders - Rate Summary Table
Rates shown are indicative for October 2026 and represent the range available to well-qualified borrowers. Your actual rate will depend on vessel age, condition, MCA coding, trading history and deposit available.
| Lender | Finance Type | Rate Range | Min–Max Ticket | Max LTV | Max Term |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Close Brothers | HP / Lease | 6.5–11% | £25k–£2m | 80% | 10 yr |
| Lombard | Finance Lease / Loan | 5.8–10.5% | £500k+ | 80% | 12 yr |
| NatWest | Commercial Loan | 5.5–9.5% | £500k+ | 80% | 12 yr |
| HSBC UK | Commercial Loan | 5.5–9% | £500k+ | 80% | 12 yr |
| Clydesdale / Virgin Money | Commercial Loan | 6.5–10% | £250k+ | 80% | 10 yr |
| Shawbrook | Secured Loan / Asset Finance | 7.5–13% | £50k–£1m | 75% | 7 yr |
| Wesleyan Bank | Asset Finance | 7–11.5% | £50k–£1m | 75% | 7 yr |
| Paragon Bank | Secured Business Loan | 7–12% | £50k–£1.5m | 75% | 8 yr |
| Hampshire Trust | Secured Lending | 7.5–12.5% | £100k–£2m | 80% | 10 yr |
| Arkle Finance | HP / Lease | 7–12% | £25k–£750k | 75% | 7 yr |
| Nucleus | Revenue-Based + Asset Finance | 8–15% | £10k–£500k | 70% | 5 yr |
| Ultimate Finance | HP / Lease | 8–14% | £10k–£500k | 70% | 5 yr |
| Marine Finance Direct | Specialist HP / Lease | 8–14% | £25k–£750k | 70% | 7 yr |
| Promarine Finance | HP / Lease | 8–14% | £25k–£1m | 80% | 7 yr |
Who Lends on Commercial Fishing Vessels?
The UK commercial fishing vessel finance market divides broadly into three tiers. At the top, clearing banks - NatWest, HSBC and Clydesdale/Virgin Money - offer the lowest rates (from 5.5%) but impose high minimum tickets (typically £250k–£500k), require strong trading accounts and are most comfortable with newer, well-coded vessels operated by established businesses.
The middle tier - Lombard, Close Brothers, Hampshire Trust, Paragon and Shawbrook - covers a wider range of vessel ages and ticket sizes while still requiring MCA coding and a credible business. Rates from around 6.5% for well-qualified applicants.
The specialist and alternative tier - Nucleus, Ultimate Finance, Arkle, Marine Finance Direct and Promarine - will consider older vessels, shorter trading histories and non-standard situations. Rates are higher (8–15%) but these lenders often fund transactions that the mainstream market will not touch.
Financing Guides
| How to Finance a Fishing Vessel | Full walkthrough: finance types, eligibility, step-by-step process, worked example for a £350k trawler. |
|---|---|
| Trawler Finance UK | Specific guide for beam, otter and pelagic trawlers - lender appetite, typical structures, rates. |
| Scalloper Finance UK | Scallop dredger finance - seasonality in underwriting, quota implications, typical vessel values. |
| Shellfish Boat Finance UK | Whelk boats, cockle dredgers, mussel boats - smaller tickets and the lenders who fund them. |
| Fishing Quota Finance (FQA) | Finance secured against Fixed Quota Allocation units - a specialist guide unique in the UK market. |
| UK Seafood Fund Co-Finance | How to stack DEFRA grant funding with commercial finance - and DBF's role in the commercial portion. |
Frequently asked questions
Does my fishing quota affect the finance amount?
Quota has significant value in the UK fishing industry but is complex as direct security - it cannot be mortgaged in the same way as a vessel. However, a strong quota holding demonstrates business viability and supports the overall application.
Is fishing vessel finance available for boats with seasonal income?
Yes - specialist fishing vessel lenders understand seasonal income patterns and can structure repayment around the main fishing season rather than requiring uniform monthly payments.
Can a new fishing company get vessel finance?
Yes - but the director's fishing experience, vessel track record, and quota/licence position carry significant weight alongside company age. We advise on how to present a new company application most effectively.
What MCA documentation is needed for fishing vessel finance?
MCA Fishing Vessel Certificate, current safety equipment certificate, SOLAS compliance (for offshore vessels), and appropriate fishing licences. We advise on the documentation requirements before approaching lenders.
Can I refinance my fishing vessel to fund quota purchases?
Yes - a sale-and-leaseback of a fishing vessel releases capital that can be used for any business purpose, including quota acquisition. We arrange this alongside the primary vessel finance.
What types of fishing vessel can be financed in the UK?
Most commercially coded fishing vessels can be financed, including beam trawlers, otter trawlers, pelagic trawlers, scallop dredgers, static netters, shellfish boats (whelk, cockle, mussel), lobster boats and creel boats. Lenders generally require a valid MCA coding, a current fishing licence and evidence of trading history.
What deposit is typically required for commercial fishing vessel finance?
Most lenders will advance 70–80% of the vessel's purchase price or appraised value, meaning you need a 20–30% deposit. Newer, well-coded vessels with strong trading accounts can attract the higher end of LTV; older or specialist vessels may require 30–35% down.
How long can I spread repayments for a fishing vessel loan?
Repayment terms range from 3 to 12 years depending on the lender and vessel age. Mainstream banks such as NatWest and HSBC can go to 12 years for newer vessels. Specialist asset finance providers typically cap at 7 years. Longer terms reduce monthly outgoings but increase total interest paid.
Do I need an MCA certificate to get fishing vessel finance?
Yes - virtually all commercial lenders require the vessel to hold a current Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) certificate appropriate to its operating area. This applies to vessels over 15m, and many lenders also require it for smaller vessels used commercially. MCA coding significantly affects lender appetite and LTV.
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