French Government orders new maritime surveillance vessel

France's Directorate General for Maritime Affairs, Fisheries and Aquaculture (DGAMPA) has commissioned Socarenam and Mauric to design and build an offshore patrol vessel combining hybrid propulsion and rather fanciful wind assistance capability.

DGAMPA said the order is part of a dual strategic approach to modernise the fleet dedicated to area control and surveillance and commit to improving the environmental impact of DGAMPA vessels.

The new patrol vessel features a wind-assisted propulsion solution, specifically designed to reduce fuel consumption and atmospheric exhaust gas emissions.

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

At 54 metres in length, the proposed vessel is designed for extended 12-day missions with a crew of 20 people. It is equipped with two launch and recovery systems for 6.50-metre fast semi-rigid inflatable boats capable of speeds up to 35 knots.

The vessel's design with a steel hull and an aluminium superstructure places importance on seakeeping and crew comfort, notably through the integration of an anti-roll stabilisation combining active fins and a passive free surface tank, hopefully ensuring optimal operability in all sea states.

Her propulsion configuration allows for a maximum speed of 17 knots and a range exceeding 3,600 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 12 knots.

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