French Navy Orders 16 Heavy-Duty Tugboats from Piriou

French shipbuilder Piriou has secured a contract from France's Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) for 16 new-generation RP30NG tugboats designed to support French Navy port operations, including maneuvers involving nuclear submarines and major surface combatants.

The vessels, derived from Piriou's civilian tugboat range and adapted for military requirements, will also undertake firefighting, pollution response, maritime surveillance, fisheries inspection and assistance missions.

Designed to operate up to 200 nautical miles offshore for several days, each RP30NG tugboat will measure 26 meters in length and 9.2 meters in beam, with a full-load displacement of 370 tonnes and bollard pull capacity of 30 tonnes. The vessels will feature two engines rated at approximately 1,100 kW each, two aft azimuth thrusters, two 160 kWe generator sets, a maximum speed of 11 knots and accommodation for a crew of six.

The order builds on Piriou's previous delivery of four RP 30/RPC 30 port and coastal tugboats to the French Navy, alongside its experience constructing harbor tugboats for private operators.

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