Piriou signs with Septième Continent

French yard Piriou has signed a contract to build a dual sail- and engine-powered vessel of about a 42m length to supply a French Arctic research station. Customer is French company Septieme Continent and the vessel will have a 71-tonne cargo capacity. It will supply the Polar Pod floating research station, an ocean platform which will carry out research in the Polar seas for a three-year period.

Designed by VPLP and Olivier Petit, the aluminium vessel is due to be delivered by Piriou in early 2023. It will measure 42.64m of length, 11m of breadth, with a draught of 4.15m. The vessel will accommodate eight crew members and 12 passengers while its aluminium hull will be reinforced to sail in polar waters. In addition to sail power, it will be equipped with an IMO Tier III engine meeting high environmental standards and a bow thruster.