The launching ceremony of the Italian Navy’s new Major Hydro-Oceanographic Vessel (NIOM), which will bear the name “Quirinale,” took place at the Fincantieri integrated shipyard in Riva Trigoso. The vessel, designed for mapping and scientific monitoring, will support the initiatives of the Hydrographic Institute, strengthening the country’s research and maritime safety capabilities.
Present at the event were the President of the Liguria Region, Marco Bucci; the Undersecretary of State for Defense, the Hon. Matteo Perego di Cremnago, responsibile for the Navy; the Undersecretary of State for Defense, Senator Isabella Rauti; the Mayor of Sestri Levante, Francesco Solinas; the Chief of Staff of the Navy, Admiral Giuseppe Berutti Bergotto; the Chairman of Fincantieri, Biagio Mazzotta; the CEO and General Manager of Fincantieri, Pierroberto Folgiero; the General Manager of the Naval Vessels Division of Fincantieri, Eugenio Santagata; and the Director of the Muggiano and Riva Trigoso Integrated Shipyard, Antonio Quintano. Godmother of the launch was Eleonora Di Paola, niece of Admiral Luigi Di Paola, winner of 4 bronze medals at the VM and 5 war merit crosses, and daughter of Admiral Giampaolo Di Paola, former Chief of the Defence Staff and Minister of Defence.
Approximately 110 meters long and displacing approximately 6,000 tons, the Major Hydro-Oceanographic Vessel “Quirinale” can accommodate up to 140 crew and scientific personnel and is equipped with a low-emission electric propulsion system, suitable for navigation in environmentally sensitive areas. Designed to operate in extreme climate conditions, down to temperatures of -16°C, the vessel is equipped with advanced scientific instruments for hydrographic, oceanographic, and geophysical surveys and is equipped with an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) and a surface vehicle (USV). Its technical equipment also includes lifting systems dedicated to scientific operations and a DP2 dynamic positioning system, which ensures high precision and stability during research activities.
The ship was designed with the utmost attention to environmental sustainability, adopting technologies to reduce emissions, diesel-electric propulsion, optimized hull shapes, and low-impact materials, in line with Fincantieri’s commitment to ISO 14001-certified environmental management at all of the Group’s Italian sites. Health & Safety is another key driver, with dedicated technical solutions to ensure personnel safety throughout the ship’s operational life.
“The Major Hydro-Oceanographic Vessel ‘Quirinale’ represents technological and industrial excellence serving 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 high-tech platforms. Today’s launch testifies to the country’s ongoing commitment to developing cutting-edge naval solutions capable of meeting scientific, operational, and maritime security needs, while leveraging the know-how and expertise of our industrial sector.”
Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and General Manager of Fincantieri
The Navy Hydrographic Institute is the State Cartographic Agency, responsible for producing official national nautical documentation.
