Wed 21 Jan 2026, 06:20 GMT | Updated: Wed 21 Jan 2026, 07:47 GMT | Evangelia Fragouli

Compagnie Maritime Nantaise wins Bpifrance backing for space logistics vessel decarbonisation project


French shipowner to develop hybrid propulsion system combining rigid wings, thermal engines, and digital twin.


Compagnie Maritime Nantaise and Bpifrance logo side by side.
La Compagnie Maritime Nantaise's Logspatial project will integrate wind propulsion technology with intelligent routing systems to reduce energy consumption on vessels supporting the space industry. Image credit: Compagnie Maritime Nantaise; Bpifrance

La Compagnie Maritime Nantaise has been selected as one of seven recipients of a French maritime decarbonisation funding programme for its Logspatial project, which aims to reduce energy use on vessels supporting space logistics.

The project will receive backing from an endowment fund financed by CMA CGM Group and administered by Bpifrance. The funding scheme, launched in April 2024, is intended to accelerate decarbonisation across the French maritime fleet while supporting the development of technologies ready for commercial deployment.

According to the company, the Logspatial project focuses on improving onboard energy distribution for propulsion and auxiliary systems by coordinating rigid-wing propulsion, thermal engines, intelligent voyage routing, and a digital twin. The objective is to optimise energy use under varying operating conditions.

La Compagnie Maritime Nantaise will act as the project owner and coordinator, with support from its parent company, Sogestran Group. Project partners include naval architects Knud E Hansen and VPLP, wind propulsion specialist OceanWings, diesel engine manufacturer Wärtsilä Marine, and D-Ice Engineering, which will develop the hybrid automation system, digital twin and routing tools.

The steering committee selected the seven winning projects in December 2025.

La Compagnie Maritime Nantaise, a subsidiary of Sogestran Group, operates vessels supporting the space industry and said it is pursuing fleet renewal initiatives focused on vessel design, fuel consumption and operational efficiency.



Photograph of ship with overlaid encircled text of EU regulations. DNV to host webinar on FuelEU Maritime compliance strategies  

Classification society offers insights as first reporting period closes and verification phase begins.

Photograph of ship with overlaid text showing narrowing MGO-biodiesel price spread. Biodiesel–MGO price spread narrows to $400–500/mt in Northwest Europe  

Bunker One says tighter spread creates opportunities for shipping companies pursuing decarbonisation targets.

Graphic for webinar 'Exmar: preparing to sail using ammonia as a marine fuel'. Exmar to discuss ammonia-fuelled vessel operations in webinar  

Shipowner will explore safety measures and partnerships for new dual-fuel ammonia carriers.

Aerial view of a container vessel. Skuld reports engine damage from CNSL biofuel blends amid rising alternative fuel adoption  

Marine insurer details operational challenges with biofuels, including FAME, CNSL and UCOME across member vessels.

Graphic for Exmar webinar titled titled 'Exmar: preparing to sail using ammonia as a marine fuel'. Event date: 15 April 2026. GRM and Bunker Holding to host webinar on Middle East war's impact on energy markets  

Webinar on 9 March will examine effects on crude oil, bunker and gas markets.

GENA Clean ammonia project pipeline chart, February 2026. Clean ammonia project pipeline reaches 145 MMT by 2034, but delivery concerns mount  

GENA Solutions reports 325 tracked projects, though over 70 have been frozen in 20 months.

Peninsula logo. Peninsula highlights supply chain strength amid Strait of Hormuz closure  

Marine fuel seller emphasises reliability as geopolitical disruption reshapes global bunker markets.

European Union member state flags. World Shipping Council backs EU maritime strategies but calls for faster trade simplification  

Industry body supports port security and decarbonisation measures while urging action on customs barriers.

Luke McEwen, Technical Director at Anemoi Marine Technologies. Anemoi and Lloyd’s Register call for unified approach to wind propulsion performance verification  

Anemoi Marine Technologies and Lloyd’s Register publish paper advocating alignment of verification methodologies.

Smyril Line's methanol-ready ro-ro following launch at its Longkou construction base in China in February 2026. Smyril Line's methanol-ready ro-ro launched in China  

First of two 3,300 lane-metre vessels floated out for Faroese operator.