MN Orders Wind-Assisted RoRo for Space Industry | Mariner News

Compagnie Maritime Nantaise (MN), a subsidiary of Sogestran Group, has ordered a new wind-assisted RoRo vessel designed for the European space industry. Scheduled to enter service by 2030, the vessel will primarily transport Vega-C launch vehicles, satellites, strategic equipment, and oversized components for the Ariane 6 programme between Europe and the Guiana Space Centre, supporting MN’s long-term partnership with Avio.

This newbuild represents a comprehensive, integrated approach to sustainable operations for high-value, niche cargo. Its propulsion system will combine conventional mechanical power with three automated OceanWings rigid sails, enhanced by an optimised hull design, advanced weather routing, and automation. Designed with biofuel compatibility, the vessel underscores a multi-faceted strategy to reduce its environmental footprint, suggesting that for critical and specialized supply chains, an array of green technologies is deemed necessary for both performance and decarbonization.

The RoRo will feature a large main deck, a flexible open deck, and a dedicated environmentally controlled compartment tailored to accommodate sensitive space-related cargo. This bespoke design, coupled with advanced propulsion, highlights the increasing demand for specialized tonnage capable of meeting stringent operational, technical, and environmental requirements concurrently.

The shipbuilding contract was signed with Guangzhou Shipyard International on August 21, following extensive technical evaluations, site visits, and negotiations. Marc-Antoine Girardet, president of the Maritime Division of Sogestran Group, noted that the vessel marks “another milestone in the development of our activities serving the European space industry.”