French cat builder overhauls range amid global expansion plans

French catamaran builder Millikan Boats is developing new versions of its recently-launched M.10 boat range as it expands into new markets, including the US, the Caribbean, and various European countries. In addition to these efforts, the company is advancing investments to enhance its production capacities in response to growing demand, according to a senior company representative.

Emma Muñoz, head of communications and marketing at Millikan Boats, told IBI that the launch of the M.10 range this year marked a significant milestone for the company. The M.10 is a new line of electro-solar catamarans designed “to offer a silent, autonomous and environmentally friendly navigation experience.”

“The range was designed to meet the expectations of clients seeking comfort, ease of use and energy efficiency, without compromising on design or performance,” Muñoz explained.

While France remains Millikan Boats’ primary market, bolstered by the local industry’s rapid shift toward sustainable boating, the company is actively working to expand its presence in international markets. “We also began expanding into new markets such as the United States, the Caribbean, French Polynesia, and various European countries, where the culture of electric boating creates particularly favourable conditions for our solutions,” Muñoz said.

She highlighted 2025 as a pivotal year for Millikan Boats, marking the transition from the development phase to the production phase of the M.10 range, alongside the first deliveries. “Among the key highlights, we unveiled, as a world premiere, one of our M.10 electro-solar catamarans at the Cannes Yachting Festival. We were awarded the Innovation Route Prize in the category Propulsion Systems or Alternative Energies,” she said.

The company’s promotional efforts received a significant boost in November 2025 at the Metstrade show in Amsterdam, where Millikan Boats won a 2025 Gustave Trouvé Award for Excellence in Electric Boats and Boating. The company received a Gussie prize for its M.10 range.

Looking ahead to 2026, Millikan Boats plans to revamp its M.10 range with new features. “The year 2026 will be a key year for the evolution of our range. We are currently working on the 2026 version of the M.10, which will include several new optimisations,” Muñoz said.

The planned updates include new cabin configurations, redesigned fore and aft deck layouts, a rear-positioned galley, a closed-version option, and new motorisation options. “These innovations will be unveiled at boot Düsseldorf 2026 and Nice Boating Tomorrow 2026, where we will be exhibiting,” she added.

When asked about investments in production capacities for next year, Muñoz confirmed that the company has initiated plans to support growing demand. “With the aim to support the growing demand, we have initiated and planned several investments aimed at strengthening our production capacities,” she said. “Our objective is to ensure an increase in volume while maintaining the level of quality and high standards that define Millikan Boats.”

Millikan Boats is based in Caen, located in the northern region of Normandy, France.