Armon delivers Mauric-designed fast ferry Bindy II

Bindy II [Image: Mauric © SNX Air Films]

Spanish shipbuilder Armon has delivered the fast ferry Bindy II to Brittany-based Sogestran Group member Morlenn Express. Designed by French naval architect firm Mauric, the vessel is a catamaran of under 30 meters long with a beam of 10.7 meters. Capable of carrying 400 passengers at 20 knots and fitted with IMO Tier III-compliant engines, the vessel marks a significant milestone in the operator’s fleet renewal program

Retained by Morlenn Express in 2023 as part of its fleet renewal strategy, Mauric initially carried out a series of concept studies exploring various hull forms and vessel configurations compliant with the latest European directive on passenger vessels.

The catamaran configuration emerged as the most suitable solution, offering the best balance between passenger capacity, service speed and seakeeping. Mauric says that, while wave-piercer catamaran hull form presents inherent complexities when in all-aluminum construction, these challenges were overcome by Armon, notably through the use of extruded aluminum deck panels incorporating very thin plating and stiffeners, allowing for significant savings in both structural weight and fuel consumption.

Hydrodynamic optimization of the hull lines and propulsion arrangement enables Bindy II to operate at notably low installed power. Daily fuel consumption is substantially reduced compared to the previous generation of vessels the catamarans are set to replace, with a direct and tangible benefit to route profitability and the environmental footprint of the service.

François Sébilo, managing director of Mauric commented: “The delivery of Bindy II is a fine demonstration of Mauric’s ability to support shipowners throughout their fleet renewal program, from initial concept through to detailed design, in order to deliver vessels with improved fuel efficiency and better commercial performance. For Morlenn Express and the Sogestran Group, this new generation of vessels entering service is reliable, comfortable, high-performing and more ecofriendly”.

Bindy II [Image: Mauric © SNX Air Films]