One of the most significant shipbuilding programs for the French Navy is currently underway, aiming to deliver 10 advanced offshore patrol vessels (“Patrouilleurs Hauturiers”) by 2035. This ambitious project brings together a consortium of four major shipyards – Naval Group as the project architect, CMN as the structure coordinator, Piriou on the fit-out side, and Socarenam to design and construct the next-generation patrol ships-.
A key contributor to this project, CT Mer Forte, leveraged its expertise in Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE software to support CMN in the structural design phase. The company played a crucial role in developing a comprehensive digital mock-up based on CMN’s pre-project definition. This 3D model would serve as the primary reference for construction drawings, ensuring precision and consistency throughout the shipbuilding process.
Pioneering a new collaborative model
CT Mer Forte dedicated a team of a project manager and seven experts who worked intensively over nine months to contribute to this project.
This project is one of the first one as “numerical extend company”! A new way to collaborate in the naval environment.
Progress and future outlook
The first vessel in the “Patrouilleurs Hauturiers” program has already entered the construction phase at Piriou’s shipyard in Concarneau. This marks a significant milestone, with seven ships planned for completion by 2028 and the full fleet of ten operational by 2035. The new offshore patrol vessels, designed by Naval Group and built collaboratively by Piriou, CMN, and Socarenam under the management of the French defense procurement agency (DGA), will bring a substantial upgrade to the Marine Nationale’s operational capabilities.
Unveiled at Euronaval 2024, the new OPVs are designed to perform a wide range of missions, including maritime security, deterrence support, protection, escort, intervention, and humanitarian evacuation in France’s areas of interest. Thanks to their advanced design and superior capabilities, these vessels will replace older units, ensuring that the French Navy remains at the forefront of maritime defense.
CT Mer Forte’s expertise in digital naval design and innovative collaborative working methods have made a significant impact on this landmark project. By harnessing the power of 3DEXPERIENCE, the company has demonstrated the effectiveness of cutting-edge digital tools in modern naval construction, paving the way for future advancements in shipbuilding efficiency and precision.
