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Steel Cutting Ceremony for the New Generation Maritime Affairs Patrol Vessel with Wind-Assisted Propulsion
Boulogne-sur-Mer, 18 Septembre, 2025 at the Socarenam shipyard
New Generation Maritime Affairs Patrol Vessel (PAM): From Contract Signature to Steel Cutting Ceremony
Following the tender win in December 2024 and the official announcement in January 2025, the New Generation Maritime Affairs Patrol Vessel (PAM) project with wind-assisted propulsion has reached a decisive milestone. On 18 September occurred the first steel cutting, symbolising the transition from design phase to active construction of this innovative vessel.
Technical Advances 2025
MAURIC's team of naval architects and marine engineers has completed the detailed arrangement study of the vessel, including an optimisation loop for optimal sail positioning. This phase also enabled the finalisation of active and passive stabilisation systems development, through seakeeping calculations carried out to optimise the anti-roll tank with free surface effects and active fin stabilisers.
Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) optimisation of the bulbous bow has refined the hull's hydrodynamic performance. These CFD studies have optimised resistance through the water and defined the vessel's active trim control system underway, confirming a hybrid cruising speed of 10 knots and maximum speed exceeding 18 knots. This configuration ensures the energy efficiency sought for this vessel with reduced environmental footprint.
Construction Underway
The design phase has established the assembly sequence in eight modular blocks. The image below illustrates the detailed structure of the first block, located in the forward third of the vessel's hull. Its preparation for cutting is being completed at Socarenam in Boulogne-sur-Mer. The commencement of first steel cutting marks the concrete beginning of fabrication, thereby maintaining the construction schedule for delivery planned in the second half of 2027.
This major project demonstrates the excellence of French naval engineering in developing bespoke maritime solutions, combining operational performance with environmental innovation.
Key features
Crew and Capacity
- Crew : 16 persons
- Special Forces : 4 persons
- Autonomy : 12 days
- Activity : Up to 200 days at sea per year
- Length: 53.70 m
- Construction: Steel hull, aluminium superstructure
- Propulsion: Diesel-electric hybrid system with wind-assisted propulsion
- Maximum speed: 17 kts at 85% MCR, electric : 10 kts
- Endurance: 3,600 nm at 12 kts
- Nautical equipment: 2 semi-rigid boats of 6.50 m (speed: 35 kts)
Technical Specifications
Operating Area
- Primary: Bay of Biscay
- Offshore capability for extended missions
- Protection of national interests
- Maritime fisheries surveillance and control
- Environmental regulations compliance
- Pollution and navigation monitoring
- Search and Rescue operations
- Public service missions and representation of French Maritime Affairs Administration
Main Missions
