The Italian Navy’s new major hydro-oceanographic ship, Quirinale, has been launched at Fincantieri’s Riva Trigoso shipyard during a ceremony attended by representatives from both organisations.
Eleonora Di Paola, granddaughter of Squadron Admiral Luigi Di Paola and daughter of former Chief of Defence Staff and Minister of Defence Admiral Giampaolo Di Paola, sponsored the launch.
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The vessel, measuring approximately 110 metres and displacing roughly 6,000 tonnes, can accommodate up to 140 personnel, including crew and scientists.
It will be employed to support the Italian Hydrographic Institute’s maritime mapping and monitoring operations.
Quirinale is fitted with electric propulsion designed to reduce emissions and is suitable for operations in protected environments.
The ship can function in temperatures as low as -16°C and contains equipment for hydrographic, oceanographic, and geophysical research.
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By GlobalDataIts technical features include an autonomous underwater vehicle, an unmanned surface vehicle, lifting systems for scientific equipment, and a DP2 dynamic positioning system for precise research activities.
According to Fincantieri, the vessel’s design incorporates emission-reduction technology, diesel-electric propulsion, optimised hull shapes, and low-impact materials.
Fincantieri CEO and general manager Pierroberto Folgiero said: “The Major Hydro-Oceanographic Ship ‘Quirinale’ represents technological and industrial excellence in the service of the national interest.
“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.”
In a separate development, Fincantieri Group’s subsidiary e-phors has signed a contract with the Italian Navy to boost cyber resilience on naval units.
The agreement covers integrating an onboard cyber threat monitoring solution into ship management system networks to strengthen mission security.
E-phors developed this technology for defence vessels’ digital systems, providing crews with decision-support tools during cyber incidents.
The installation expands on cyber-defence measures already implemented in Bergamini-class frigates.
Last month, Fincantieri delivered the Logistic Support Ship (LSS) ITS Atlante to the Italian Navy during a ceremony at the Castellammare di Stabia shipyard in Italy.
