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Inauguration of Bindy II

MAURIC supports Morlenn Express in the fleet renewal program of six IMO Tier III-certified passenger vessels

A new chapter is being written for Brittany-based operator Morlenn Express, part of the Sogestran Group, with the delivery of Bindy II, a
29.9 -metre Fast passenger catamaran designed by MAURIC and built by Spanish shipyard Armon. This vessel, the result of close collaboration between the shipowner, the naval architecture firm and the shipbuilder, embodies a new generation of fast coastal ferries combining high performance, fuel efficiency and compliance with environmental regulations.

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A project driven by regulatory requirements, led by MAURIC from initial concept

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.

©SNX Air Films

All-aluminium construction: the wave-piercer challenges admirably overcome by Armon

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.

Bindy II Captain : Christophe Le Pen
Project Manager: Sogestran Group - Léo Mouillé
Director of Sogestran Company: Franck Le Biannic
Technical Manager of Sogestran Company: Christophe Cariou
Sales and Business Development Director at MAURIC: Fabrice Ghozlan

Hydrodynamic optimisation

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.

©SNX Air Films

A testament to MAURIC's end-to-end support

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.