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From sample to finished boat: EMKA ­accompanies AV2 during development


When thinking of French luxury brands, Chanel or Louis Vuitton come to mind. But also EMKA? Yes, when it comes to the partnership with Advanced Aerodynamic Vessels, a manufacturer of catamarans for passenger transport. EMKA hardware parts reliably close the entrance doors, flaps, and entrances to the engine compartment – among other things in a prestigious project in which VIP shuttles transport passengers through the port of Monaco.

Fittings for luxury caramarans for passenger transport

Advanced Aerodynamic Vessels (AV2) is a boat manufacturer designing catamarans for “high speed“ passenger transport. Based in La Rochelle, France, the team developed a new generation of transport vessels that use aerodynamics for improved energy efficiency, safely lifting the vessel’s weight from the water to the air. The propulsion power required depends primarily on the weight carried by the water. Therefore, reducing this weight is the key to greater efficiency. The La Rochelle site’s combination of office and shipyard allows the engineers and designers to work side by side and optimise the ships’ details. EMKA has also been up close and personal with this process for four years.

Closure technology for vibration-proof ­application

In search of the engine compartment and entrance doors’ locking systems, AV2 contacted EMKA, an expert in locking systems, in 2017 with an order for prototypes. The sales representative in charge, Jean Louis Vellot, looked at the design directly on-site and suggested various solutions from the range. Since then, EMKA has supplied three projects of the boat manufacturer with stainless steel quarter turns, compression latches, escutcheons and keys, and ramps. In addition, the vibration-proof products control access to the engine and maintenance compartments.

Example project: Shuttle service in the ­Monaco marina

A unique project for which EMKA supplied the closure technology is a transport boat – which can carry up to twelve passengers – for a shuttle service that connects the marina of Monaco and its extension in Ventimiglia, Italy.

The catamaran is equipped with two 350 hp engines and can reach a speed of 50 knots. According to Jérôme Lafond, Project Manager of AV2, what is interesting here is the relationship between speed and consumption: “Compared to a conventional boat that would travel at the same speed, our fuel consumption is 50 percent less”. Other catamarans have been sold to France and Gabon.

“The cooperation with EMKA has been characterised by close communication from the very beginning,” says Jérôme Lafond. “Mr Vellot spent much time with our development department to understand our specific needs. For example, he was involved even before completing our first catamaran, when we were still working with hand-drawn plans. Likewise, EMKA has been with us through the entire process from design to finished product, through a proven track record of delivery and responsiveness.”