UNIQUE NEWBUILD FOR FRENCH POLYNESIA

Ordered by Societe de Navigation des Australes (SNA) Tuha’a Pae, the unique, multi-purpose ship is expected to enter operation between the archipelagos of French Polynesia during the spring of 2026. The contract is the fifth to have been secured by the Vigo builder, the former Hijos de J.Barreras yard, since its 2022 acquisition by the Armon Group.

The 89m design, prepared by the Spanish consultancy Cotenaval, combines the capability to carry vital supplies between Tahiti, the capital, and the distant Austral Islands, with accommodation for islanders and tourists.

An imposing feature of the vessel, forming a major element of the environmental considerations behind the project, will be wind-assisted propulsion technology in the shape of a suction sail installation. The ship’s efficiency and manoeuvrability will also stem from the use of pod-type propulsion thrusters powered by two 1,600kW electric motors.  

SNA Tuha’a Pae is a company whose main mission is to maintain the lifeline link between Tahiti and the distant Austral Islands, the southernmost archipelago of French Polynesia. While ensuring the supply of food, materials and equipment for the local communities, and providing a conduit for island agricultural produce to the Tahiti market, the shipowner has, in recent years, also sought to develop the cruise passenger carrying potential of the service.

The project has qualified for French Government funding, in line with objectives as to fleet renewal within the French overseas territory(known as a collectivity) and specific aims as to the development of tourism and economic wellbeing in the Australs, while meeting sustainability criteria in the islands’ pristine environment.

To be named Na Pae e Hiro, the newbuild will be able to transport about 2,000t of merchandise and 200 passengers, and will replace the smaller, 79m freight and passenger carrier Tuha’a Pae IV, built by Harwood Marine Cebu of the Philippines and introduced in 2012.

Whereas the existing, geared vessel is of aft-superstructure, forward cargo section layout, the new ship will be configured with bridge and accommodation placed forward, and with an aft cargo deck suited to unitised as well as breakbulk cargo. Two deck cranes on the starboard side will ensure the requisite self-sufficiency in cargo working.

Na Pae e Hiro will be fitted with a single 22m-high sail of the eSAIL type developed by Barcelona-headquartered bound4blue, and promising energy savings in the order of 10%. The eSAIL harnesses wind power by employing the suction effect, dragging air over the thick aerodynamic profile of the vertical sail. This is claimed to generate seven times more lift than a conventional aircraft wing. The design is suitable for both retrofits and new ship applications, and the SNA Tuha’a Pae contract is bound4blue’s first eSAIL success in the newbuild market.

French Polynesia is made up of five main island groups, and the Australs, located some 400 miles to the south west of Tahiti, is in turn composed of two separate archipelagos, both of which will receive regular calls by the new ship.

Since becoming part of the Armon Group, Astilleros Ria de Vigo has rapidly reasserted itself in newbuild production, initially with a 50m freezer trawler for the Argentine fishery, followed by contracts involving a 70m oceanographic research ship for Iceland, a 70m trawler to be deployed in the South Atlantic, plus an 82m offshore patrol vessel for Spain’s Civil Guard (SEMAR).

Given the comparatively prompt delivery undertaking on the French Polynesian ‘polyvalent’ ship, keel-laying is due to take place shortly.