What Kership does

Kership is a French shipbuilding joint venture, founded in 2013 and headquartered in Concarneau, owned 55% by Piriou and 45% by Naval Group. The company specialises in the design and construction of naval vessels under 100 metres dedicated to "State Action at Sea," serving national navies, coast guards, customs, and gendarmerie forces across Europe, Africa, South America, and the South Pacific. Its product range spans offshore patrol vessels (OPV 45 to OPV 90), coastal patrol vessels (CPV 25/32), mine countermeasures vessels (MCMPF 83), multi-mission support ships (B2M/BSAH), hydrographic survey vessels, landing craft, and a maritime training ship. Underlying the platform are two proprietary technologies: the C-SHARP® hull concept (co-developed with Piriou and LHEAA at Ecole Centrale de Nantes) and the POLARIS® combat management system.

Kership operates three industrial sites totalling 55,000 m² of workshop space — Concarneau (headquarters and primary yard, ISO 9001 and ISO 14001:2015 certified), Lorient/Lanester (KERSHIP LORIENT subsidiary, acquired from STX France in 2016), and Giurgiu, Romania (ATG Romania, ISO 9001/14001/45001 certified) — collectively providing lifting capacity up to 2,000-3,000 tonnes, covered build capability for vessels up to 100m, and outfitting quays. The company generates revenue through one-time design-and-build contracts awarded by defence procurement agencies, supplemented by recurring Integrated Logistical Support (ILS), In-Service Support (MCO) maintenance contracts typically running 5-6 years per vessel, training, and technology-transfer packages. The go-to-market is direct B2G sales to defence ministries and procurement agencies (notably France's DGA), with sales cycles running through classified procurement and ministerial approval processes.

The company has delivered more than 20 vessels to customers including the French Navy, Royal Belgian Navy, Royal Netherlands Navy, Argentine Navy, Senegalese Armed Forces, Côte d'Ivoire Navy, and Montenegro Navy, and currently serves as industrial prime contractor for the Belgian-Dutch rMCM programme (12 mine countermeasures vessels). Direct headcount at Kership and KERSHIP LORIENT is approximately 99-160 employees, drawing on the broader shipbuilding and defence-systems expertise of its parent companies which together employ more than 16,000 people.

Name

Kership

Legal name

KERSHIP

Website

https://kership.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kership is a French shipbuilding joint venture (Piriou 55% / Naval Group 45%) that designs and constructs naval vessels under 100 metres for state action at sea, serving national navies, coast guards, and customs agencies across 20+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Naval Shipbuilding

NAICS

Ship and Boat Building (3366), Ship and Boat Building (33661), Boat Building (336612), Ship Building and Repairing (336611)

SIC

Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)

akta.pro primary industry

Patrol & Littoral Security Craft (OPV, Fast Attack, Interceptors) (IMAJABAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Auxiliary & Logistics Naval Vessels (Replenishment, Support, Hospital) (IMAJABAD), Landing Craft & Amphibious Workboats (LCM/LCT-style, Beaching Craft) (IMAJADAK), Patrol, Interceptor & Law-Enforcement Craft (Coast Guard, Customs) (IMAJADAD)

Keywords

• Naval shipbuilding
• Offshore patrol vessels
• Mine countermeasures vessels
• Maritime defense construction
• Naval lifecycle support

Headquarters

HQ city

Concarneau

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Ship Construction and Delivery: One-time revenue from design, construction and delivery of naval vessels including OPVs, CPVs, MCM vessels, and support ships. Contracts awarded through defense procurement agencies.
2. Lifecycle Support Services: Ongoing services including training (operation and maintenance), Integrated Logistical Support (ILS), In-Service Support (ISS), specific maintenance and repair services, and technology transfer packages
3. Maintenance Contracts (MCO): In-Service Support contracts for maintaining ships in operational condition, typically 5-6 years per vessel

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Kership designs, builds, and supports naval vessels under 100 metres dedicated to State Action at Sea. The portfolio includes Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), Coastal Patrol Vessels (CPVs), Mine Countermeasures Vessels, Multi-Purpose Support Vessels, Landing Craft Tanks, Hydrographic Vessels, and Training Ships. The company also provides full lifecycle services including crew training, Integrated Logistical Support (ILS), In-Service Support (ISS), maintenance and repair, and technology transfer packages to government navies, coast guards, and customs agencies worldwide.

Product overview

Kership is a French joint venture (founded 2013) between Piriou and Naval Group, specializing in the construction of naval vessels under 100 meters dedicated to State Action at Sea. The product portfolio comprises multiple vessel classes: Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV 45-90), Coastal Patrol Vessels (CPV 25-32), Multi-Purpose Support Vessels (B2M/BSAH series), Specialized Mine Countermeasures Vessels (MCMPF 83), Landing Craft Tanks (LCT 25-50), Hydrographic Vessels (HOSV), and Maritime Training Ships (MTS 44). Key technologies include the proprietary POLARIS combat management system and C-SHARP hull design. Services encompass the full vessel lifecycle from design and construction through Integrated Logistical Support (ILS), In-Service Support (ISS), crew training, and technology transfer packages. The company operates shipyards in Concarneau and Lorient (France), and Giurgiu (Romania), with over 20 vessels delivered worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• OPV 90 90-metre offshore patrol vessel for maritime security, EEZ surveillance, and naval operations.
• OPV 87 ARA 87-metre offshore patrol vessel built for Argentine Navy (ARA programme) with multi-mission capabilities.
• OPV 85 S 85-metre offshore patrol vessel for security operations and combat against illicit trafficking.
• OPV 85 CG 85-metre coast guard version of offshore patrol vessel for law enforcement at sea.
• OPV 70 70-metre offshore patrol vessel for maritime surveillance and EEZ protection.
• OPV 60M 60-metre offshore patrol vessel for Montenegrin Navy capable of military and civilian missions including anti-piracy, border control, search and rescue, and anti-pollution operations.
• OPV 60 60-metre offshore patrol vessel serving Senegalese Navy with combat capabilities for surveillance and EEZ protection.
• OPV 52 S 52-metre fast offshore patrol vessel with combat system and C-SHARP hull technology.
• OPV 52 CG 52-metre coast guard version with POLARIS combat management system and mission container capabilities.
• OPV 45 45-metre offshore patrol vessel with POLARIS mission management system for law enforcement and anti-smuggling operations.
• OPV 45 CG 45-metre coast guard version with dual RHIB ramp and C-SHARP hull for coast guard missions.
• CPV 32 32-metre compact coastal patrol vessel with high speed, RHIB capabilities, and cost-effective operations for law enforcement.

Quantifiable outcome

• Mine countermeasures clearance speed increased tenfold compared to conventional methods
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Belgium Naval & Robotics (Naval Group + Exail consortium)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Consortium awarded rMCM programme for 12 mine countermeasures vessels for Belgian and Netherlands navies. Kership serves as industrial prime contractor managing construction across Concarneau, Lanester, and Giurgiu shipyards.
• STX FranceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016STX France selected Kership to take over STX Lorient's Lanester facility and staff. Led to creation of Kership Lorient subsidiary.
• ATG RomaniaminorOthers · 1 January 2016Kership subsidiary operation in Giurgiu, Romania free zone on Danube shore. Provides additional production capacity with 30,000 m² workshops.
• PirioucoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Piriou holds 55% stake in Kership joint venture. Provides shipbuilding expertise and infrastructure at Concarneau facility. Over 550 ships delivered in 60 years of existence. Responsible for design and construction of vessels.
• Naval GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Naval Group holds 45% stake in Kership joint venture. World leader in naval defense serving 50+ navies globally. Provides military systems integration, combat systems, and long-term support capabilities.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Piriou: Kership's 55% parent and French shipbuilder with 550+ vessels delivered. Builds commercial and naval vessels (tugs, patrol vessels, support ships) and competes with Kership on adjacent naval and coast guard programs, while also serving as Kership's industrial platform.
• Fassmer: German shipbuilder producing patrol vessels, OPVs, and SAR craft for coast guards and navies worldwide. Overlaps with Kership's CPV/OPV portfolio, particularly for European coast guard customers.
• Anadolu Shipyard: Turkish shipyard building fast attack craft, patrol vessels, and OPVs exported to multiple navies including in Africa and Southeast Asia. Represents the growing low-cost competition Kership faces in OPV export tenders.

Direct peers

• OCEA: French shipbuilder focused on aluminum patrol boats, OPVs, and hydrographic vessels for navies and coast guards, particularly in Africa. A direct competitor to Kership for African and export patrol vessel contracts.
• CMN (Constructions Mécaniques de Normandie): French shipbuilder specializing in patrol vessels, OPVs, fast attack craft, and landing craft for navies and coast guards (e.g., OPV 45, Patrol Boat 45). A direct domestic competitor to Kership in the same sub-100m segment.
• Socarenam: French shipyard building patrol vessels, tugs, and specialized vessels (e.g., Flamant-class patrol vessels for the French Navy). Competes with Kership for French DGA and coast guard contracts in the small/medium naval segment.
• Damen Shipyards Group: Dutch shipbuilding group with a strong OPV and patrol vessel portfolio (e.g., Damen OPV 2400, FCS series) sold to numerous navies and coast guards worldwide. Directly competes with Kership for sub-100m government naval contracts across Europe, Africa, and Latin America.

Broad incumbents

• Fincantieri: Italian shipbuilding group with a portfolio spanning OPVs, PPA-class vessels, and corvettes sold globally, often through its Vard and subsidiary network. Competes with Kership for naval export contracts and is part of the broader European naval shipbuilding consolidation.
• Navantia: Spanish state-owned shipbuilder building OPVs (e.g., Avante 1800/2200 class), corvettes, and auxiliary vessels for the Spanish Navy and export customers. Competes with Kership in OPV tenders and offers broader naval capabilities.
• TKMS (ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems): German submarine and surface combatant builder (MEKO class, K130 corvettes). Competes with Kership indirectly in the European naval market and increasingly offers OPV/fast attack solutions that overlap with Kership's product range.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kership

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kership