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Dec 5 2023

Steel cutting of bow section for third French LSS Emile Bertin

Castelammare di Stabia, 5 December 2023- The steel cutting of the third bow section for the Logistic Support Ship (LSS) “Emile Bertin” ordered by Chantiers de l’Atlantique to Fincantieri under the LSS – FLOTLOG programme (“Flotte logistique”) took place at Fincantieri’s Castellammare di Stabia shipyard.

This particular milestone represents the concrete entry into production of the third French LSS, with the bow section to be delivered in Saint-Nazaire for final assembly. The ship is expected to be delivered to the French Navy in 2027.

The Franco-Italian LSS Programme is led by OCCAR, on behalf of DGA, the French Armament General Directorate, and its Italian counterpart, NAVARM. It consists of the development, construction, and support of 6 Logistic Support Ships plus one in option. The LSS for the French Navy is constructed by the temporary consortium between Chantiers de l’Atlantique and Naval Group.

Who was “Emile Bertin”

Louis-Émile Bertin, known as Émile Bertin (born on 23 March 1840 in Nancy) was a French scientist, marine engineer and inventor. Author of numerous innovations in the military and civil navy, Émile Bertin made the plans and participated in the construction of about 150 surface buildings. Founder of the Japanese military fleet during the Meiji1 era—he spent four years in Japan—and was then head of the French naval construction for a decade. He thus led France, from 1898, to reach the second rank of the World navies. He is the author of more than 50 scientific and technical books or memoirs. He passed away on 22 October 1924.