Green Navy, a Vallair Group company, and Seco Marine, a Fétis Group company, have signed a long-term partnership to develop, integrate and certify H2-ready and electro-hydrogen systems on board passenger, cargo and mixed catamaran vessels up to 30m.
The companies will collaborate on studies, engineering and conceptualization of catamaran vessels, based on designs and specifications provided by Green Navy. “Within the framework of service contracts, we will also collaborate for the sale of equipment, its installation, commissioning and maintenance” commented Charles Cardi, CEO of Green Navy.
“We already have a number of orders in the pipeline, and this agreement guarantees an exclusive and reciprocal commitment concerning the development and integration of electro-hydrogen systems for new ships,” he added.
Based on investments made since 2019 guided by co-founder and naval architect Guy Saillard, Green Navy has acquired knowledge on efficient and upgradeable naval designs to safely store hydrogen on aluminum catamarans. Seco Marine is now recognized as an advanced company in maritime hydrogen issues in France following Bureau Veritas approval in principle achieved in July 2025.
Based in Brittany, Green Navy is collaborating with the region’s environmental department regarding decarbonized marine transportation. The company also works closely with the BMA group (CIB and Merré shipyard) in Brest and Nort-sur-Edre, which has played an important role in the production of Green Navy’s Promoteo concept vessel, as well as with the class organization Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore.
“The technical and human aspects surrounding the Prometeo project went particularly well, with highly relevant work carried out together with Seco Marine. We have built a relationship based on trust, mutual respect for each other’s skills and excellent complementary qualities,” said Cardi.
“We also share common goals and the same strategic vision. Ultimately, it was a natural step forward, one that everyone involved wanted to see happen.”
Cardi said that in the past, shipyards could manage a construction project alone, relying on subcontractors for naval architecture and directly ordering and installing engines, but this is no longer feasible today. New decarbonization projects require project managers, coordinators and naval architects who have addressed these issues upstream and who will be responsible throughout the design and certification process.
“This is Green Navy’s role,” he explained. “In turn, we need to rely on integrators with a thorough understanding of electrical systems, techniques for reducing hydrogen risks, and creating resilient and secure systems. This is Seco Marine’s area of expertise.”
Together, both companies are establishing a new methodology for developing next-generation, efficient vessels, designed from the outset to integrate efficient electrical systems that can accommodate a hydrogen range extender in a plug-and-play manner.
“Because we have addressed these issues upstream, we have forged great value together and are in a strong position to address market needs with pragmatism, matching the speed of energy transition and public investments,” concluded Grégoire Lebigot, CEO of Vallair Group.
On the eve of BrittanHy Day – the annual event for the Breton hydrogen industry – Fétis Group conducted a H2 bunkering demonstration of K-Challenge’s HSV (hydrogen support vessel) with a mobile refueling station from its technology partner, Argo Anleg. David Bartoletti, the general manager of Seco Marine, explained, “The system allows hydrogen to be compressed and transferred directly into the ship’s tanks, in preparation for its next voyage. The objective of this demonstration was to collectively reflect on the conditions for safety, feasibility and acceptability of maritime hydrogen.
“Combining this important moment in the development of the maritime hydrogen sector in Brittany with the announcement of this partnership with Green Navy cements a shared vision where the emerging technologies of today work hand in hand to build the sustainable maritime industry of tomorrow.”
In related news, Ecomar and Argo-Anleg partner to deliver full hydrogen solutions in UK and Ireland