Bindy II wave-piercing benefits from MAURIC’s performance-driven, hydrodynamically efficient design
Brittany-based operator Morlenn Express, part of the Sogestran Group, has taken delivery of Bindy II, a 29.9-metre fast wave-piercing passenger catamaran designed by MAURIC and built by Spanish shipyard Armon.
The vessel is the result of close collaboration between the shipowner, the naval architecture firm and the shipbuilder, with a focus on delivering an optimised platform for high-speed coastal operations.
MAURIC has been supporting Morlenn Express since 2023 as part of their fleet renewal strategy. Appointed from the very first stages of reflection, the design office carried out a series of concept studies exploring various hull forms and vessel configurations compliant with the latest European directive on passenger vessels. The catamaran configuration ultimately emerged as the most suitable solution, offering the best balance between passenger capacity, service speed and seakeeping performance.
Bindy II is a catamaran below 30 metres in length overall, with a beam of 10.7 metres, designed to carry 400 passengers at a service speed of 20 knots. Its engines are IMO Tier III-certified through the integration of a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system.
The wave-piercer catamaran hull form presents inherent complexities when building in all-aluminium construction. These challenges were admirably overcome by Armon shipyard — most notably using extruded aluminium deck panels incorporating very thin plating and stiffeners, allowing for significant savings in both structural weight and fuel consumption.
Hydrodynamic optimisation of the hull lines and propulsion arrangement enables Bindy II to operate at notably low installed power (2 x 1000kW). Its fuel efficiency is greatly improved compared to the previous generation of vessels it is set to replace, a direct operational benefit for Morlenn Express in terms of both route profitability and environmental footprint.
The delivery of Bindy II is a testament to MAURIC’s ability to support shipowners throughout the entire design process of a naval project, from initial concept within a strict regulatory framework up to detailed design delivered to the shipyard. For Morlenn Express and the Sogestran Group, this new vessel entering service is reliable, comfortable, high-performing and more ecofriendly. For MAURIC, it is a confirmation of our recognised expertise in designing passenger vessels suited to today’s challenges.
