• 3 min de lectura
• 3 min de lectura
Compagnie Maritime Nantaise (MN), a subsidiary of the European Sogestran group, announced the construction of a new hybrid-propulsion Ro-Ro vessel that will combine conventional mechanical propulsion and wind-assisted propulsion, intended for the maritime transport of cargo for the space industry.
The shipbuilding contract was signed on August 21, 2026, with Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI), following a process that included consultations, technical evaluations, shipyard visits, and contractual negotiations.
"This new industrial asset will strengthen the company's transport capacity and support the growth of the European space industry, particularly within the framework of its long-term alliance with Avio. The vessel is expected to enter service by 2030," MN communicated.
"The new unit has been primarily designed to meet the specific requirements linked to the maritime transport of launch rockets, satellites, associated equipment, and other sensitive industrial cargo," it added.
Its construction responds to the strategic alliance announced in June 2026 between Avio and Compagnie Maritime Nantaise. "Based on more than fifteen years of collaboration between both companies in support of the European space industry, the vessel will fundamentally support the increase in the delivery rate of Avio's Vega-C launch rockets between Europe and the Guiana Space Centre," MN pointed out.
"Likewise, it will allow the company to consolidate its position in the transport of satellites and strategic equipment and, if required, to transport oversized components of the Ariane 6 program. The vessel will have various complementary cargo areas, including a large main Ro-Ro deck, a compartment dedicated to space cargo with controlled environmental conditions, and a multipurpose open deck," it added.
In this context, Marc-Antoine Girardet, President of the Maritime Division of the Sogestran Group, commented that "this new vessel marks another milestone in the development of our activities serving the European space industry. It has been designed to meet the growing demands of our customers in terms of safety, reliability, and logistical flexibility. This contract is the result of a transversal and collective effort carried out over several years within the Sogestran Group, Compagnie Maritime Nantaise, and Avio. I would like to warmly thank all those involved for their contribution to this achievement."
The unit's propulsion system will combine conventional mechanical propulsion with a wind-assisted system comprising three automated OceanWings rigid sails. "This technology was selected for its performance, ease of onboard integration, industrial maturity, and adaptability to the vessel's operational profile," MN specified.
"The reduction of the vessel's environmental footprint will be based on various complementary measures, such as wind-assisted propulsion, a highly efficient mechanical propulsion system, an optimized hull design, advanced weather routing, system automation, and compatibility with biofuels," it expanded.
