New ferry Jeune France II for Territorial Collectivity of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon combines beaching capability with zero-emission port operations
The Spanish shipyard AISTER has secured a contract to build and deliver Jeune France II, a next-generation hybrid aluminium catamaran passenger ferry, in a project valued at close to €4 million.
Delivery is scheduled for September 2027, after which the vessel will enter service with the Territorial Collectivity of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon. It will replace the existing Jeune France on the key link between Saint-Pierre and Langlade in the French archipelago of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon.
At 22.5m LOA with a 7.5m beam, Jeune France II will be an all-aluminium catamaran displacing around 75 tonnes at full load and accommodating up to 100 passengers. The design is tailored to the route’s operational constraints, notably the lack of port infrastructure on Langlade.
To address this, AISTER has engineered the vessel for controlled beaching operations. The bow structure is optimised for safe seabed contact, while a hydraulically operated bow ramp will enable direct passenger transfer and the loading of vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes.
Propulsion is based on a parallel hybrid configuration, combining two 368kW IMO Tier III-compliant diesel engines with an electric propulsion system. The setup will support zero-emission, low-noise manoeuvring in port and at low speeds, while delivering a service speed of 12 knots in hybrid mode.
Construction and outfitting will be undertaken بالكامل at AISTER’s yard in Moaña, Spain. The award further strengthens the builder’s position in the aluminium vessel segment, particularly in delivering low-emission solutions for regional passenger transport.
