French engineering group CNIM unveils aluminium variant of L-CAT catamaran

<p>French engineering firm CNIM has unveiled the modified designs of the new shore-to-shore variant of its L-CAT fast landing catamaran. The modifications were planned keeping requirements of independent amphibious, logistics, and humanitarian relief operations in mind. CNIM is targeting the Southeast Asian region as a particularly promising market for this variable-draught aluminium hull vessel. <br /><br />The aluminium shore-to-shore variant of L-CAT fast amphibious landing catamaran offers sufficient flexibility to raise or lower a pontoon deck so as to facilitate operation in any one of three modes: in transit, the vessel is a catamaran; in beaching mode, the pontoon is lowered; and in dock mode, the platform is either totally or partially flooded.<br /><br /><img style="vertical-align: middle; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="http://www.alcircle.com/uploads/images/L-CAT.jpg" alt="News" width="494" height="274" /><br /><br />The French navy service already has one ship-to-shore variant of the L-CAT, with four 30 m craft procured to meet the Engin de D&eacute;barquement Amphibie - Rapide (EDA-R) requirement. The new aluminium hull vessel will add further strenth to the naval line-up. <br /><br />{googleAdsense}<br /><br />CNIM subcontracted the L-CAT prototype to the Socarenam shipbuilding and ship repair group in Boulogne-sur-Mer, along with two more EDA-R crafts which have been delivered to the Egyptian Navy.</p>