Chantiers de l'Atlantique
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Chantiers de l'Atlantique is one of the world's largest shipyards, based in Saint-Nazaire, France. It was created in 1861 by Compagnie Générale Transatlantique, but since 1984 has been owned by Alstom then Aker Yards since 2006. The largest ocean liner (until the 2006 launch of M/S Freedom of the Seas), the RMS Queen Mary 2, was completed at the shipyard in late 2003 and delivered to Cunard Line in January of 2004.
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[edit] Location
The yard is located in St Nazaire near Nantes, France at the mouth of the Loire. Its location near the deep waters of the Atlantic makes sailing large ships in and out easier.
[edit] Early history
The yard was initially established in July 1840 and started by building ships for the French transatlantic line Compagnie Générale Transatlantique.
The yard built the then longest passenger ship, the trans-Atlantic superliner SS France, in 1961.
[edit] Large tankers
After the construction of the last Compagnie Générale Transatlantique liner the yard turned to construction of large tankers following the closure of the Suez Canal. Large tankers built include Batillus, Bellamya, Pierre Guillaumat and Prairial (ship). A new dry dock (Basin C) was planned for the construction of tankers over 1,000,000 tonnes but this fell through with the re-opening of the Suez Canal. At this weight the tankers would have never been able to pass through the Suez anyway.
[edit] Recent history
The yard was responsible for the building of the giant superliner Queen Mary 2 for the Cunard Line in 2004. Shortly after construction a gangway connecting the ship to the dry dock collapsed killing 16 people.
[edit] Purchase by Aker
Aker Yards and ALSTOM announced on 4 January 2006 their intention to join forces in shipbuilding and create together one of the world leaders in this industry, focused on high value added ships, including world class cruise ships.
The parties plan to establish a new company consisting of the shipyards in Saint-Nazaire and Lorient. Aker Yards would own 75% of this new company and ALSTOM would commit itself to keep the remaining 25% until 2010. The transaction would enable continuity in management and the actions taken as part of the “Marine 2010“ performance improvement and cost reduction programme already under implementation in ALSTOM Marine.
[edit] Ships built
Ships built by Chantiers de l'Atlantique include:
- Sans Souci class sloops, designed as seaplane tenders, but built as escorts, all launched in 1940
- Sans Souci / Jupiter
- Sans Reproche / Saturn
- Sans Peur / Merkur
- Sans Pareil / Uranus
- SS France, launched in 1961, the world's longest passenger ship of the time
- SS Normandie, Entered service in 1935, world's largest ship until Cunard's Queen Elizabeth, held Blue Ribband. Capsized in New York Harbor, 1942. Scrapped in NJ, 1946.
