On September 18, 2025, a steel-cutting ceremony was held at the SOCARENAM shipyard in Boulogne-sur-Mer to mark the start of construction of a next-generation offshore patrol vessel (OPV) equipped with a hybrid propulsion system and wind-assisted sails. The project was designed by the SOCARENAM-MAURIC consortium for the Directorate General for Maritime Affairs, Fisheries, and Aquaculture (DGAMPA).
From design to construction
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The SOCARENAM-MAURIC consortium won the tender in December 2024.
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The project was officially announced in January 2025.
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It has now moved from the design stage to the construction phase.
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Delivery of the vessel is scheduled for the second half of 2027.
Design features
Naval architects and engineers from MAURIC conducted detailed layout studies, including optimization of sail placement. They also completed seakeeping calculations and developed both active and passive stabilization systems, taking into account roll dampers and fin stabilizers.
The hull will be built from eight modular blocks, allowing faster construction.
Key specifications of the new OPV
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Length: 53.7 m
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Crew: 20
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Mission endurance: up to 12 days
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Maximum speed: 17 knots
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Range: over 3,600 nautical miles at 12 knots
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Equipment: two launch-and-recovery systems for 6.5 m RHIBs capable of interception speeds up to 35 knots
Project significance
Combining hybrid propulsion with wind-assisted sails, this OPV represents a unique step toward sustainable naval technologies in France’s maritime sector.
