Welcome to France Week!

One of the biggest maritime powers in the world, with a maritime domain of 10.9 million square kilometres, France also has a shipbuilding industry that remains dynamic and is staying the course despite strong international competition and the impact of the Covid-19 health crisis on ship orders.

The level of activity remained strong in 2020, driven in particular by orders for military vessels that benefit the main French yards. If orders for civilian vessels slow down, France should still be able to do well thanks to its ability to adapt and its ability to respond to very diversified markets with "tailor-made" and unique vessels, adapted to the specific needs of owners, when its competitors are offering more and more "standard" products.

Passenger Vessels • Commercial Fishing • Offshore • Maritime Security • Tugs & Salvage • Marine Projects

The future of the sector nonetheless depends on strong political will, to allow France not only to maintain its know-how, skills and maritime sovereignty, but also to continue to export French maritime excellence.

Sea to Sea, in partnership with the French shipbuilding organisation GICAN, has kindly provided Baird Maritime with an update on the state of the French maritime industry.

Introductions:

FEATURE | Towards a sovereign model of the French shipbuilding industry
– "The French maritime sector represented 11.25 billion euros in cumulative turnover in 2020, 45 per cent of which was exported. 6.2 billion euros came from defence and 5.0 billion euros from the commercial side"
– by Stéphanie Roos-Faujour, Sea to Sea

FEATURE | Vers un modèle souverain de l'industrie navale française
– "L'agence Sea to sea en partenariat avec le GICAN, Groupement des Industries de Construction et Activités Navales, qui fédère l'industrie navale française tente ici de dresser un état des lieux du secteur"
– by Stéphanie Roos-Faujour, Sea to Sea

Vessel Reviews:

• Bel Horizon 2 – French-owned bespoke multi-purpose fishing vessel
  
• Papy Chichi – Specialised sardine and anchovy trawler for western France
• Via Alize – Deep-sea tuna seiner joins Via Ocean fleet
• Suzanga – French fisherman opts for Turkish-built, long-range trawler
• Jana 21 – French-built aluminium crewboat especially designed for Arabian Gulf
  
• TSM Honfleur & TSM Rouen – Two new shallow-draught tugs for HAROPA's Seine River ports
• US Navy's new French-designed interception and boarding craft feature amphibious self-deployment capability
• Gin Tonic – Electric-powered eight-metre tour boat for River Seine
• Ajie Arho – French yard completes tuna longliner orders for repeat customer in New Caledonia
• Kornog – Irish-built, French-owned bespoke line fishing boat designed for Atlantic waters
• Al Dairah – P&O Maritime Logistics adds French-designed boat to Dubai pilotage fleet
• P XVII – Durable, all-weather FRP pilot boat for Dunkirk Marine Pilotage Station
• Monaco One – Sleek 12-pax yacht shuttle ferry with 50-knot top speed

News and Gear:

• New workboat delivered to Jifmar Offshore Services' Scottish subsidiary
• France's Atlantique Maritime Services expands crewboat fleet
• Argentine Navy's newest Gowind-class patrol vessel floated out
• Work Boat World Offshore Projects Roundup – May 14, 2021
• Nexans' newest cable-layer begins sea trials
• Zodiac Milpro completes acquisition of Vectis Marine Design
• CMA CGM orders 22 ships from Chinese builder
• OCEA's newest patrol vessel sails on delivery voyage

Remember to come back every day to see the latest news, opinion and vessel reviews!

Call for content!

Any news or views about the French workboat industries? Send it through to editor@baird.com.au ASAP (between now and May 28), so we can add it to this current edition of France Week!

We are after:

• Vessels – Orders, new deliveries, under construction
• Gear – Latest innovations and technology
• Interviews – Owners, operators, builders, designers.
• Reminiscences – Do you have any exciting, amusing or downright dangerous anecdotes from your time in the French work boat world? (example here)
• Other – Any other relevant news