AWARDS 2023 | Best Medium Ro-Pax – Insula Oya III – Piriou

Best Medium Ro-Pax – Insula Oya III – Piriou

Constructed for a regional government in western France, this very versatile new steel and aluminium Ro-Pax ferry benefits considerably from having two sturdy loading ramps on its port-side.

Designed and built to operate safely and reliably in the often rough and rugged Bay of Biscay and its small and often shallow harbours, the vessel has considerable capacity for passengers, cargo and a variety of vehicles.

Built to its usual very high standards by local builder Piriou of the historic and beautiful Breton town of Concarneau, the ferry is a magnificent addition to the local fleet.

“It is a genuine lifeline service ferry tailor-made for the specific route from the mainland in Fromentine to Yeu Island,” Stéphane Burgaud, Group Sales Manager for Piriou, told Baird Maritime. “It is a stylish, robust, and capable vessel offering a large transport capacity even with a 2.35-metre draught.”

Burgaud highlighted that the ferry is able to serve summer rotations on a tight schedule while transporting around 40 per cent more freight compared to its predecessor. The Ro-Ro deck also offers satisfactory clearance beneath the axle when transporting 12 cars and four motorcycles, though the space can also house up to 340 pallets and two 19-tonne lorries.

“The container storage areas were optimised for easy and fast loading and unloading operations. The vessel also enables transport of up to 391 passengers, 252 of whom will be seated in an inside lounge that also includes seats easily accessible by those with limited mobility. Overall, the passenger spaces were designed to ensure smooth and safe movement between loading/unloading areas and the lounges.”

Burgaud added that, in order to combine style with robustness and performance, the vessel’s lines were carefully studied. The result is a modern vessel with shapes adapted from older ships such as the marked vertical front pediment, incorporating the high wheelhouse.

To ensure a pleasant and comfortable voyage for passengers, two stabilisers have been fitted, the number of windows has been increased, and the lounges have been organised into different spaces. Also, the colours and materials used in the interiors were selected to offer a refined and warm atmosphere reminiscent of older Ro-Pax ferries.

“IMO Tier III engines allow the vessel to meet the latest environmental standards in force. With the help of a cold ironing system, the vessel is able to be connected to the shore power grid to limit noise and environmental pollution. The power available will be sufficient to carry out loading and unloading operations without the need for a generator, thus reducing the carbon footprint when at berth.”

Burgaud said construction of Insula Oya III took place at around the same time as the start of the ongoing war in Ukraine and the easing of Covid restrictions, when some of Piriou’s suppliers faced technical and financial issues that ultimately affected the vessel’s delivery timeline.

“These recent crises have validated the fact that, for any integrator, the resilience of the supply chain is critical to shipbuilding,” he told Baird Maritime.

Burgaud foresees the ferry industry will witness growing public demand for greener and smarter vessels, while passengers, particularly those in France’s island communities and other isolated areas, will continue to require reliant and competitive lifeline vessel services.

“It will be challenging for shipowners and operators to deal with those different requirements. Therefore, shipyards that will be able to thoroughly understand their clients’ specific requirements and satisfy these with design and industrial solutions will certainly prosper.”

For a list of the 2023 “Best Of” award winners, please click here.