Wind propulsion meets the naval sector: SOCARENAM, MAURIC win tender for wind-powered OPV

French shipbuilder SOCARENAM and compatriot naval architecture and marine engineering firm MAURIC have secured a tender for the design and construction of an offshore patrol vessel (OPV) that will combine hybrid propulsion with wind assisted propulsion.

The contract is said to represent a ‘significant’ milestone in reducing the environmental footprint of maritime surveillance vessels.

Construction will be carried out entirely at Socarenam’s shipyard in Boulogne-Sur-Mer, with delivery scheduled for the second half of 2027.

As informed, the new patrol vessel will feature an ‘innovative’ wind-assisted propulsion solution, specifically designed to reduce fuel consumption and atmospheric exhaust gas emissions significantly. This technology, combined with diesel-electric hybrid propulsion and IMO TIER III compliant engines, positions this vessel among the pioneers of maritime transition.

The project will contribute to maintaining and developing the French naval industry. What is more, it will contribute to the development of the country’s wind ship propulsion sector which has been experiencing strong growth.

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

With a length of 53.7 meters, the OPV is designed for extended 12-day missions with a crew of 20 persons primarily in the Bay of Biscay. 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 knots.

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. The OPV’s propulsion configuration allows a maximum speed of 17 kts and a range exceeding 3,600 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 12 kts.

Following a public tender, the SOCARENAM-MAURIC consortium was commissioned by the Directorate General for Maritime Affairs, Fisheries and Aquaculture (DGAMPA). The contract was announced on January 10, 2025, in the presence of the French Minister of Ecological Transition, Biodiversity, Forests, Sea and Fisheries, Agnès Pannier-Runacher.

This order is said to be part of a dual strategic approach: modernizing the fleet dedicated to the control and surveillance system and the commitment to the environment.

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