Project for a new generation of high-speed maritime and river passenger ships with a low environmental footprint.
Context
Today, only the largest high-speed passenger vessels have an acceptable energy performance: their fuel consumption per kilometre travelled and per passenger carried benefits from a favourable scale effect.
As the size of fast passenger ships decreases, this effect of scale diminishes and their energy performance deteriorates.
In response to this challenge, Advanced Aerodynamic Vessels (A2V) and the École Nationale Supérieure Maritime (ENSM) have joined forces in the AERONAV project as part of the ‘Vehicle and Transport of the Future and Future Investments’ programme.
AERONAV is supported by ADEME. The aim is to design and market a new generation of workboats that are both fast and energy-efficient, without being large vessels.
Objectives
The aim of the project is to remove the technological barriers, to develop the digital tools and build the knowledge needed to design and market a new generation of workboats: fast, fuel-efficient vessels that reduce the ecological footprint of maritime and river passenger transport, while minimising costs for shipowners.
The technology used, a catamaran hull with a highly innovative geometry, enables the ship to be supported by both water and air. This design significantly reduces the resistance to high speed motion, resulting in fuel savings representing several times the cost of the vessel over its lifetime.
Course
The project consists of developing and building a first ship to demonstrate the relevance of the concept in operational, regulatory and financial terms.
It also aims to develop a series of design tools specific to this new approach to naval architecture.
More specifically, ENSM will be responsible for studying the aspects of the project relating to international maritime regulations, the ergonomics of the pilothouse and the need for training in the operation of these vessels.
A2V will be responsible for R&D, design, engineering, construction and sea trials of the first vessel, following the successful testing of its prototype in 2015.
The AERONAV project is supported by ADEME as part of the ‘Vehicles and Transport of the Future’ and ‘Future Investments’ programmes.
Duration : 2 years
Start date : December 2015
Total value of project : €2.4m
Of which PIA aid : €1.6m
Location : Nantes (44), La Rochelle (17), Le Havre (76)
Contacts
Technology and communication / Matthieu Kerhuel matthieu.kerhuel@aavessels.com / Advanced Aerodynamic Vessels
Access to l’ADEME.