Chantier Naval Allemand is a historic family-owned shipyard located in Grau d’Agde, situated along the banks of the Hérault river near its convergence with the Mediterranean Sea in Southern France. Founded in 1947 by Jean Allemand, a naval carpenter, the company has established a long-standing reputation in the French maritime sector. While it began as a modest workshop dedicated to wooden boat building, the yard evolved significantly over the decades to become a pioneer in modern composite construction methods.
The company’s history is marked by a major technological shift in the 1960s, when it moved away from traditional timber frames to adopt polyester materials. In 1965, Chantier Naval Allemand achieved a significant milestone by constructing the first composite trawler in Europe, an 18-meter vessel that challenged the wood-dominated conventions of the era. Over its operational history, the shipyard has constructed more than 1,000 vessels ranging from 5 to 40 meters in length. These builds have included professional fishing trawlers, tuna boats, pilot vessels, and anti-pollution workboats, as well as various pleasure craft.
Today, while the company retains its boat-building heritage, its primary operational focus has shifted toward naval maintenance, refit, and repair services. The facility covers approximately 5,000 square meters, including substantial covered work areas and hardstanding space for careening and storage. The yard is equipped with heavy handling infrastructure, such as travel lifts capable of hoisting up to 45 tons, mobile cranes, and specialized cradles designed to maneuver vessels safely. This technical capacity allows the team to service a diverse array of hulls, from professional fishing fleets to leisure yachts and river barges traversing the nearby Canal du Midi.
Chantier Naval Allemand continues to be managed by the founder’s descendants, maintaining its identity as a specialist in both hull refits and technical marine systems. The shipyard provides comprehensive support for metalworking, mechanical engineering, and polyester repairs, serving as a critical technical hub for the regional maritime community. Its strategic location at the junction of river and sea enables it to support both maritime and inland waterway vessels, reinforcing its enduring role in the Mediterranean nautical economy.
