Since it was founded in 2001, CNOI has quietly built a reputation for complex maritime construction projects. Its latest achievement, the Captain Arctic, a low-carbon exploration sailing vessel, the largest ever built by CNOI, is set to launch in late 2026. It reflects both the shipyard’s operational capabilities and the Group’s broader strategy in delivering technically demanding projects at an international scale.
Exploration does not have to come at the expense of fragile ecosystems. That is the belief behind Selar, the maritime company founded by polar captain and maritime entrepreneur Sophie Galvagnon, alongside Julia Bijaoui and Quentin Vacher. Created in response to the growing impact of intrusive expeditions in polar regions, Selar is reimagining exploration through lower-impact, decarbonised navigation. Its first vessel, Captain Arctic, is now being built in Mauritius.
It’s an ambitious project: a vessel powered almost entirely by natural resources, with 90% lower carbon emissions than a conventional ship of the same kind. The Captain Arctic will feature 35-metre-high solar sails covered with 2,000 m² of solar panels, an onboard desalination system to produce freshwater, a pellet boiler, smart insulation, and a unit to treat organic waste. Every element has been designed to reduce energy consumption and limit the vessel’s environmental impact. The result is a 70-metre steel ship that can accommodate 36 passengers, 20 crew members, and 4 expedition guides for tailor-made journeys through remote polar regions.
The fact that this project is taking shape in Mauritius is no coincidence. With 41 vessels already built, CNOI has made innovation one of its defining strengths. The shipyard is used to handling large-scale projects and has long been a trusted partner of the French Navy.
The build process reflects an approach the yard has refined over years. Back in 2012, they extended an Australian fishing vessel by fabricating an entire additional section from plans before the ship had even arrived on site. The Captain Arctic followed the same logic: while the hull was being built in Dubai, CNOI’s teams were already preparing the superstructures in Mauritius, ready to fit once it arrived.
“Every project we take on brings its own challenges and innovations. The Captain Arctic is no different, just on a completely different scale,” says Managing Director Franck Piriou. At 700 tonnes, the hull alone is a feat in itself, and it is the largest vessel CNOI has ever built. “Our teams are working flat out to have it ready for delivery in October.”
A project that speaks to CNOI’s ability to deliver at an international level, and to its place as a committed player in building a more sustainable future for the region.
