1st passenger foiling catamaran – A new era
March 2025
Launch of the RL Héloïse on February 13, 2025
After more than two years of construction by the Transmétal Industrie shipyard, the RL Héloïse was able to set sail on Thursday, February 13 in Saint-Mandrier.
Riviera Lines ' RL Héloïse is the first aluminum catamaran sailing in Europe and the Mediterranean to incorporate foils for passenger transport. This technology optimizes the fluidity and comfort of navigation. This aluminum catamaran is equipped with foils, submerged lifting wings, which reduce water resistance and increase speed while improving passenger comfort.
This technology marks a technical breakthrough and significant progress in the field of sustainable maritime transport. The RL Héloïse will begin sailing between Nice, Cannes, and Saint-Tropez in May 2025. This initiative represents a key milestone for French maritime transport in terms of innovation and ecology, offering a more environmentally friendly passenger transport solution. Another step towards a sustainable maritime future.
True to family tradition, young Héloïse, aged just two, succeeded her sisters Charlotte and Victoria by giving her name to the catamaran and becoming its godmother.
This project was born and developed in the South-East of France, and more specifically in the Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur region, including professionals from the region's maritime sector.
AGL Marine also took part in the project by supplying AWLGRIP paints for the catamaran's upper hull, as well as SEAJET 027 Saikõ for the protection of the ship's upper hull.
Focus on a major innovation: the first foils for catamarans intended for passenger transport
The RL Héloïse marks a major step forward in maritime transport by becoming the first catamaran in Europe equipped with foils to ensure regular passenger sea links . This innovative catamaran will operate on the routes linking Nice, Cannes and Saint-Tropez , offering smoother, faster navigation (approximately 2 hours less) and more energy-efficient by reducing the hydrodynamic drag of the vessel.
The foils, designed to reduce hydrodynamic resistance and improve lift, were manufactured by Jean-Christophe Lair , at the Strato Compo shipyard, based in Gironde (33). To guarantee their performance and durability, they received a careful finish with a technical coating combining INTERNATIONAL (Interfill 833, Interprotect mastic) and AWLGRIP (Epoxy 545 primer).
Technical characteristics of the catamaran:
- Dimensions : The catamaran measures 26 meters long and 11 meters wide.
- Capacity : It can carry between 310 and 340 passengers.
- Speed : The RL Héloïse reaches a cruising speed of 20 knots.
- Foils : Thanks to its foils, the ship reduces water resistance, which reduces fuel consumption and improves passenger comfort by reducing vibrations and pitching.
AGL Marine protects the Living Works of the RL Héloïse with SEAJET 027 SAIKÕ
AGL Marine is once again committed to more sustainable navigation by applying SEAJET 027 SAIKÕ antifouling to the underwater hull of the RL Héloïse. Formulated without copper and incorporating the biocide Econea, this innovative coating offers a more environmentally friendly alternative while ensuring effective protection against the proliferation of marine organisms. Thanks to its self-polishing SPC technology, it ensures optimal long-term performance and helps maintain perfect glide.
Proud to support this innovative and sustainable project , AGL Marine promotes local expertise and actively participates in improving the maritime experience. By focusing on solutions adapted to the ecological requirements of the times, this collective commitment illustrates the desire to innovate for increasingly responsible maritime transport.
New ECONEA® biocide
The first copper-free solution for marine antifouling
Historically, antifouling products have been formulated with copper. Why? Because it provides a high concentration of bioavailable copper ions on the hull surface, which acts as a deterrent, thus inhibiting the attachment of organisms. It also has adverse effects because it is recognized as toxic to marine organisms.
ECONEA®: a barrier against fouling
Marine antifouling is an important step towards a more sustainable world. Fouled ships lead to increased fuel consumption and atmospheric emissions.
ECONEA® is a copper-free antifouling agent. It has a broad spectrum of activity against hard- and soft-shelled invertebrate organisms, including barnacles, hydroids, mussels, oysters, and tubeworms. ECONEA® therefore prevents marine organisms from attaching to the hull, saving up to 40% fuel and reducing CO2 emissions.
The real alternative to antifouling containing heavy metals!
- ECONEA®-based paints can be made smoother, helping ships save fuel.
- ECONEA® is a 100% organic agent, formulated without copper.
- ECONEA® decomposes quickly in water, without risk of toxicity to marine organisms.
- ECONEA® is 10 times more active than copper.
- ECONEA® is also more effective on stationary vessels.*
* Due to the chemical and physical stability of ECONEA ® in coatings, as well as its low water solubility and resistance to erosion, antifouling paints containing ECONEA ® can generally be used for several years without requiring drydocking, unlike copper-based products.
What are the RL Heloïse's promises in terms of sustainability and environmental impact?
An antifouling like ECONEA® prevents marine organisms from attaching to the hull, saving up to 40% fuel and reducing CO2 emissions.
In terms of reducing the carbon footprint, switching to biofuel avoids CO2 emissions, with a saving of 120 liters of gasoline per new generation engine per hour . Over a 1000-hour navigation program between Nice, Cannes and Saint-Tropez in 2026, this would represent a saving of 240,000 liters of biofuel .
AGL Marine is proud to support this project alongside Riviera Lines.
For more information: https://www.riviera-lines.com/
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