Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) and China Shipbuilding Trading (CSTC) have secured a contract from French shipping company Compagnie Maritime Nantaise (MN) for a 1+1 series of 105 m ro-ro vessels featuring wind-assisted and hybrid propulsion.
The new vessels will combine wind-assisted propulsion with a hybrid propulsion system and digital twin technology. Their design will meet EEDI Phase 3 energy-efficiency requirements and carry a DNV biofuel class notation, while space will be reserved for the future use of green fuels.
The contract became effective on 15 September 2026 and marks the first export project of its type secured by GSI’s newly established Xiaohu Island shipbuilding base.
The 105 m vessels will operate between the Kourou River and Pariacabo Port in French Guiana. Their transport role will include aerospace equipment such as rockets, satellites, aircraft and helicopters.
Compagnie Maritime Nantaise (MN) is part of France’s Sogestran Group and provides specialized transport services. Its fleet includes MN Colibri and MN Toucan, which were designed to transport components of the Ariane launcher system from Europe to the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana.
MN also operates the ConRo vessels MN Calao and MN Tangara for military logistics and special equipment transport. Both vessels were built by Hyundai Mipo Dockyard.
