Seatrade-Maritime: Hybrid ro-ro ordered to transport European space technology cargo at sea

Published by Seatrade-Maritime

France-based Sogestran subsidiary Compagnie Maritime Nantaise has awarded China’s Guangzhou Shipyard International a contract for the construction of a new hybrid ro-ro vessel fitted with wind-assist propulsion units.

The vessel will be used primarily for the transport of satellites, launch vehicles, and other cargo in support of the European space industry and delivery is scheduled for 2030.

Design work on the vessel will be undertaken by French naval architecture firm VPLP.

Cargo will be transported on a ro-ro deck, a dedicated compartment for space-related cargoes with controlled environmental conditions, and a flexible open deck.

The vessel will feature several additional cargo areas, including a large main deck for rolling on and off cargo, a dedicated space for space cargo with controlled environmental conditions, and a modular outer deck.

“This new vessel represents a further step in the development of our business serving the European space sector. It has been designed to meet our customers’ growing demands in terms of safety, reliability and logistical flexibility,” said Marc-Antoine Girardet, chairman of the maritime division of the Sogestran Group, Maritim Nantaise’s parent company.

“This contract is the result of joint, interdisciplinary work carried out over several years within the Sogestran Group, Compagnie Maritime Nantaise and Avio.” the executive added.

The propulsion system of this new vessel will combine mechanical propulsion with a sail-assisted system comprising three automated OceanWings rigid sails.

Reducing environmental impact will depend on several complementary measures, including sail-assisted propulsion, efficient mechanical propulsion, hull optimisation, advanced meteorological route planning, system automation and compatibility with biofuels.