SOCARENAM and MAURIC Secure Tender for New Generation Maritime Affairs Patrol Vessel

10 January 2025

PAMNG. (Image credit: MAURIC)

The Directorate General for Maritime Affairs, Fisheries and Aquaculture (DGAMPA) has commissioned the SOCARENAM-MAURIC consortium to design and build an innovative offshore patrol vessel, combining hybrid propulsion and wind assistance.

On December 5, 2024, DGAMPA officially awarded the SOCARENAM-MAURIC consortium the contract for the design and construction of this Maritime Affairs Offshore Patrol Vessel with Reduced Environmental Footprint. This order is part of a dual strategic approach: modernizing the fleet dedicated to the control and surveillance system (DCS) and the commitment towards the environmental exemplarity of DGAMPA vessels.

Major Environmental Innovation: Wind-Assisted Propulsion

The new patrol vessel features an innovative wind-assisted propulsion solution specifically designed to significantly reduce fuel consumption and atmospheric exhaust gas emissions. This technology, combined with diesel-electric hybrid propulsion and IMO TIER III compliant engines, positions this vessel at the forefront of maritime ecological transition.

In addition to its wind-assisted and advanced hybrid propulsion, the patrol vessel incorporates several technological innovations: a hull optimized through computational fluid dynamics, enhanced insulation with optimized energy management, photovoltaic panels, and an active trim control system.

An OPV with Optimized Performance

With a length of 54 meters, this offshore patrol vessel is designed for extended 12-day missions with a crew of 20 persons. It is equipped with two launch and recovery systems for 6.50-meter fast semi-rigid inflatable boats capable of intercepting at a speed of up to 35 kts, essential for its offshore missions. The vessel’s design, with a steel hull and an aluminum superstructure, places paramount importance on seakeeping and crew comfort, notably through the integration of an anti-roll stabilization combining active fins and a passive-free surface tank, ensuring optimal operability in all sea states. Her propulsion configuration allows a maximum speed of 17 knots and a range exceeding 3,600 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 12 knots.

A Project Demonstrating French Industrial Excellence

Construction will be carried out entirely at Socarenam’s shipyard in Boulogne-Sur-Mer, with delivery scheduled for the second half of 2027. This project contributes to maintaining and developing the French naval industry, creating jobs, and sustaining specialized skills in a context of high tension.