SOCARENAM-MAURIC has been awarded the contract by the Directorate General for Maritime Affairs, Fisheries and Aquaculture (DGAMPA), to design and build an innovative offshore patrol vessel. The vessel combines hybrid propulsion with wind assisted propulsion, marking a significant milestone in reducing the environmental footprint of maritime surveillance vessels. The contract was announced on 10 January 2024 in the presence of French Minister of ecological transition, biodiversity, Forests, sea and Fisheries, Agnès Pannier-Runacher.
On December 5, 2024, DGAMPA officially awarded the SOCARENAM-MAURIC consortium the contract for the design and construction of this Maritime Affairs Offshore Patrol Vessel with Reduced Environmental Footprint. This order is part of a dual strategic approach: modernizing the fleet dedicated to the control and surveillance system (DCS) and the commitment towards environmental exemplarity of DGAMPA vessels.
The new patrol vessel features an innovative wind-assisted propulsion solution, specifically designed to significantly reduce fuel consumption and atmospheric exhaust gas emissions. This technology, combined with diesel-electric hybrid propulsion and IMO TIER III compliant engines, positions this vessel at the forefront of maritime ecological transition.
In addition to its wind-assisted and advanced hybrid propulsion, the patrol vessel incorporates several technological innovations: a hull optimized through computational fluid dynamics, enhanced insulation with optimized energy management, photovoltaic panels, and an active trim control system.
With a length of 54 metres, this offshore patrol vessel is designed for extended 12-day missions with a crew of 20 persons. It is equipped with two launch and recovery systems for 6.50-metre fast semi-rigid inflatable boats capable to intercept at a speed up to 35 kts, essential for its offshore missions. The vessel’s design with a steel hull and an aluminium superstructure places paramount importance on seakeeping and crew comfort, notably through the integration of an anti-roll stabilisation combining active fins and passive free surface tank, ensuring optimal operability in all sea states. Her propulsion configuration allows a maximum speed of 17 kts and a range exceeding 3,600 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 12 kts.
Construction will be carried out entirely at Socarenam’s shipyard in Boulogne-Sur-Mer, with delivery scheduled for the second half of 2027. This project contributes to maintaining and developing the French naval industry, creating jobs and sustaining specialized skills in a context of high tension.
Key features
Crew and Capacity
- Crew : 16 persons
- Special Personnel : 4 persons
- Autonomy : 12 days
- Activity : Up to 200 days at sea per year
Technical Specifications
- Length: 53.70 m
- Construction: Steel hull, aluminium superstructure
- Propulsion: Diesel-electric hybrid system with wind assisted propulsion
- Maximum speed: 17 kts
- Endurance: 3,600 nm at 12 kts
- Nautical equipment: 2 semi-rigid boats of 6.50m (speed: 35 kts)
Operating Area
- Primary: Bay of Biscay
- Offshore capability for extended missions
Main Missions
- Protection of national interests
- Maritime fisheries surveillance and control
- Environmental regulations compliance
- Pollution and navigation monitoring
- Assistance to persons
- Public service missions and representation of French Maritime Affairs Administration
