Press Releases 2022-06-24
June 24, 2022
CNN MCO Wins the MCO Contract for the French Navy's Amphibious Helicopter Carriers
CNN MCO, a subsidiary of Equans France specializing in preventive and corrective ship maintenance, has just been awarded the contract for the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) of the French Navy’s three amphibious helicopter carriers (PHA) based in Toulon for a period of 7.5 years. At the same time, the company will continue to provide MCO services for the command and supply ship (BCR) Somme, based in Brest.
New achievements and recognition of proven expertise
This new contract marks a new milestone for CNN MCO, which has maintained numerous classes of ships for more than 15 years: from gendarmerie patrol boats to command and supply vessels, from rapid amphibious landing craft (EDAR) to hydrographic vessels (BH) or electromagnetic research vessels (BRE) such as the “Dupuy-de-Lôme,” to deep-sea patrol vessels (PHM) and, more recently, the Antilles-Guyana patrol vessels (PAG) and the polar patrol vessel “Astrolabe.”
With this new contract, CNN MCO adds a significant achievement to its portfolio, further solidifying its position as a leading player in the MCO sector.
Targeted expertise
Modeled after a shipowner’s technical service, CNN MCO has adapted to the requirements of the Fleet Support Service (SSF), whose mission is to ensure the technical readiness of naval forces as part of the government’s cost-optimization initiative.
CNN MCO has been responsible for maintaining the PHMs in operational condition since 2013 and the BCRs since 2015. Under these contracts, the company has demonstrated its ability to maintain well-worn vessels (with an average age of over 35 years) that are regularly deployed on operations far removed from our usual maritime operations.
The at-sea availability required by the Navy was achieved by carrying out major work on the ships’ structures—particularly the PHMs—as well as by keeping older systems operational. CNN MCO has thus extended the service life of the BCRs’ equipment by modernizing the control systems for the at-sea refueling systems on the relevant vessels.
The award of the MCO contract for the PHA-class ships—recent vessels commissioned between 2006 and 2012 and built by DCN Brest and the Saint-Nazaire shipyard—is a continuation of previous contracts. A mark of confidence from the French Navy and the Fleet Support Service, it also serves as recognition for the CNN MCO teams of the commitment and efficiency they have demonstrated on a daily basis for many years.
“We are very proud of this success, which reflects our client’s trust. For us, it is a strong sign of recognition for the efforts we have made and the work we have carried out over the years on behalf of the Fleet Support Service and the Naval Action Force. We are committed to executing this contract under the best possible service conditions and meeting the high standards expected of us.
I would like to thank all the teams at CNN MCO for their daily commitment to the ships and crews, and for ensuring that every small challenge overcome each day turns into a success, just as it has today. “It is a great source of pride to work for the Department of Defense,” concludes Céline Barazer, Deputy Director of CNN MCO, a subsidiary of Equans France.