Fincantieri launches advanced hydro-oceanographic vessel Quirinale

The Italian Navy’s new major hydro-oceanographic ship (N.I.O.M.—Nave Idro-Oceanografica Maggiore), Quirinale, was launched in a ceremony today at Fincantieri’s Riva Trigoso shipyard in the Genoa region.

Designed for scientific mapping and monitoring activities, Quirinale will support the initiatives of the Italian Hydrographic Institute, strengthening the country’s maritime research and security capabilities.

Approximately 110 meters long with a displacement of around 6,000 tonnes, the Quirinale can accommodate up to 140 people, including crew and scientific personnel. The vessel is equipped with a low-emission electric propulsion system, also suitable for navigation in environmentally sensitive areas. Designed to operate in extreme climatic conditions, down to temperatures of -16°C, the ship features advanced scientific instrumentation for hydrographic, oceanographic and geophysical surveys, and is equipped with both an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) and an unmanned surface vehicle (USV). The technical outfit also includes lifting systems dedicated to scientific operations and a DP2 dynamic positioning system, ensuring high precision and stability during research activities.

The ship has been designed with great attention to environmental sustainability, adopting emission-reduction technologies, diesel-electric propulsion, optimized hull forms and low-impact materials, in line with Fincantieri’s commitment to ISO 14001-certified environmental management across all the Group’s Italian sites. A further key driver is Health & Safety, with dedicated technical solutions aimed at ensuring personnel safety throughout the vessel’s operational life.

“The major hydro-oceanographic ship Quirinale represents technological and industrial excellence in the service of the national interest,” said Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and general manager of Fincantieri. “This vessel combines advanced operational capabilities, innovation and environmental sustainability, confirming Fincantieri’s role as a strategic partner of the Italian Navy in the construction of highly technological platforms. Today’s launch bears witness to the ongoing commitment of the national system to the development of state-of-the-art naval solutions capable of meeting scientific, operational and maritime security requirements, while enhancing the know-how and skills of our industrial supply chain.”

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