Project combines MAURIC’s patrol craft design heritage with Couach’s advanced composite shipbuilding capability
French naval architecture firm MAURIC has secured a tender to provide the full design studies for a new customs patrol vessel set to be built by Couach shipyard. The project brings together MAURIC’s established expertise in patrol craft design and Couach’s specialised capabilities in advanced composite construction.
The contract encompasses a complete scope ofnaval architecture services, from initial concept through to basic design engineering package. MAURIC team of four to five persons—naval architects, draughtsmen and engineers—will deliver hydrodynamic studies, hull form design, and basic design including weight estimates, general arrangement, stability study.
The six-month design phase started in early December 2025. The vessel is designed upon MAURIC established sea-proven hull forms of patrol boats, refined through previous successful programmes including the VGC 32 series and the 35-metre hybrid patrol boat series.
This vessel introduces several technical advances compared to the previous customs fleet. It features diesel-electric hybrid propulsion—a system with which MAURIC has experience on patrol vessels. This configuration enables low-speed electric operation and requires careful integration of dedicated electrical spaces and power management systems separate from the main machinery. The propulsion architecture reflects MAURIC measured approach to power requirements, prioritising fuel economy whilst meeting operational demands and IMO Tier III standards.
Further requirements include a stern ramp for RHIB deployment, replacing the traditional davit system, and an integrated drone platform above the ramp. The vessel is designed to achieve 1,000 nautical miles range at 18 knots in Sea State 3 as specifically required by the French Customs.
