Winch Systems
Hydraulic and electric winch systems for fishing and commercial vessels
Héðinn supplies, services, and upgrades Kongsberg Maritime deck winch equipment for trawl fishing, anchor handling, and towing operations. Hydraulic and electric drives, modern control systems, and retrofit solutions.
Decades of Kongsberg winch experience behind every job
Kongsberg Maritime winch systems, historically produced under the Brattvaag name, have equipped working vessels for decades. Héðinn is an authorized service and supply partner for this range in Iceland, giving vessel owners access to genuine parts, factory-aligned expertise, and a local team that can respond quickly.
The scope covers hydraulic and electric trawl winches, auxiliary and sweepline winches, gilson and anchor-handling equipment, and associated control systems. Whether the job is a new installation, a scheduled overhaul, or a targeted upgrade to a system already in service, the Héðinn ship and mechanical team handles the full scope.
Application Areas
Winch categories across the fishing and marine fleet
Kongsberg Maritime winch systems cover the primary deck machinery roles on trawlers, purse seiners, and commercial working vessels.
Main trawl winches for demersal and pelagic trawl fishing. Available in hydraulic and electric permanent-magnet motor configurations. Sweepline and gilson drums can be integrated in the same drive frame.
- Hydraulic and electric drive options
- Permanent magnet (PM) motor variants
- Sweepline and gilson integration
Heavy-duty anchor handling and towing winches for offshore support, coastal towing, and mooring operations. Rated for sustained high-load use with reliable braking and controlled pay-out.
- High-capacity braking systems
- Offshore and coastal towing duty
- Mooring and anchoring
Net drums, split-drum net storage, and auxiliary hoisting winches for fish handling and deck support. Configured for the vessel deck plan and fishing method.
- Net drum and split-drum variants
- Fish-handling support
- Deck-plan integration
RTX Auto and X7 Auto winch control systems, operator panels, load monitoring, and alarm integration. Kongsberg control architecture fits both new installations and retrofit onto existing hydraulic or electric drives.
- RTX Auto and X7 Auto systems
- Load and tension monitoring
- Operator panel and alarm integration
Hydraulic versus electric trawl winches
A direct comparison of the two main drive technologies to help technical buyers and vessel owners assess the right fit for their operating profile.
| Aspect | Hydraulic winch | Electric winch (PM motor) |
|---|---|---|
| Drive source | Vessel hydraulic power unit | Vessel electrical distribution |
| Speed control | Proportional valve or Eco-step frequency converter | Variable frequency drive (VFD) |
| Low-speed torque | Excellent: inherent in hydraulic motors | Excellent: PM motors rated for low-speed continuous use |
| Energy efficiency | Moderate: losses in HPU and circuit | High: direct electrical conversion with regenerative options |
| Upgrade path | Eco-step frequency converter adds speed control to existing units | Electric wire control with VFD: full retrofit available |
| Best fit | Vessels with existing HPU capacity and proven hydraulic setup | Newbuild vessels and retrofits targeting fuel savings or automation |
Winch retrofit and upgrade process
Older Kongsberg and Brattvaag winch systems can often be significantly improved without full replacement. Héðinn manages the assessment, supply, and installation.
System assessment
Héðinn reviews the existing winch installation, drive type, control architecture, and vessel power arrangement. The assessment identifies what can be upgraded and what needs replacement.
Solution specification
Based on the assessment, the team specifies the upgrade package: Eco-step frequency converters, electric wire control, RTX Auto or X7 Auto control systems, or a combination suited to the vessel and fishing method.
Parts supply and scheduling
Genuine Kongsberg Maritime parts are sourced and scheduled around the vessel's operational calendar. Héðinn coordinates supply lead times to minimise time out of service.
Installation and commissioning
The ship and mechanical team installs the new equipment, commissions the control systems, and verifies performance under load before the vessel returns to operation.
Why Upgrade
What modern winch controls deliver on working vessels
Control and efficiency upgrades on existing Kongsberg winch systems deliver measurable improvements without the cost or downtime of full equipment replacement.
Fuel and energy savings
Electric trawl winches with permanent magnet motors and regenerative VFDs reduce fuel consumption compared to constant-speed hydraulic systems running at full load. Eco-step converters add stepped speed control to existing hydraulic drives at lower cost.
Improved catch safety
RTX Auto and X7 Auto winch control systems provide constant wire tension monitoring and automatic pay-out under sudden load increases, reducing net gear loss and wire damage during trawl operations.
Reduced maintenance load
Modern electric drives and sealed PM motors have fewer wearing parts than hydraulic circuits with pumps, valves, seals, and hose runs. Predictive monitoring in current Kongsberg control systems flags service needs before failures occur.
Ongoing support for Kongsberg Maritime winch installations
As an authorized service point, Héðinn provides fault diagnosis, scheduled maintenance, and emergency repair for Kongsberg Maritime and Brattvaag winch systems in service. The team can attend the vessel at berth or work in the Hafnarfjörður workshop depending on the scope.
Genuine spare parts are sourced directly through the Kongsberg Maritime supply chain. For older Brattvaag units, the team can advise on parts availability, interchangeable components, and the point at which a targeted upgrade becomes the more practical path.
Send the vessel type, winch model, or operating requirement
Héðinn can help determine the right equipment specification, upgrade path, and service schedule for any Kongsberg Maritime winch installation. One team for supply, installation, and ongoing support.
Gjáhella 4, 221 Hafnarfjörður | +354 569 2100 | hedinn@hedinn.is