VARD, the Norwegian subsidiary of the Group, one of the world’s leading companies in the construction of special vessels, has signed a new contract with the US research organisation Inkfish for the design and construction of an innovative deep-sea research vessel. The order is valued at approximately 700 million euros .
This is the largest order ever acquired by VARD for a single unit , as well as the largest of its kind ever recorded by a Norwegian shipyard .
The vessel, designated RV11000, is based on the VARD 9 42 design, is 162 meters long and 28 meters wide, and is scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2030. It represents a significant step forward in terms of capacity, building on the engineering and design solutions already adopted for the RV6000 vessel , contracted by VARD in 2025 and currently under construction for Inkfish. Both vessels will join the shipowner’s fleet, supporting marine research activities globally and contributing to the sharing of data in open-source repositories.
Developed by Vard Design in Ålesund, Norway, in close collaboration with Inkfish, the RV11000 is a highly specialized vessel designed for seabed mapping, coring and sampling, submersible operations, and ROV deployment at depths of up to 11,000 meters . The vessel will enable a wide range of deep-sea missions, including submarine, ROV, and autonomous vehicle operations.
The vessel will be equipped with one of the most advanced battery storage systems ever installed on a naval vessel , allowing up to 12 hours of silent operation for scientific missions , as well as an advanced propulsion system combining direct current (DC) technology and hybrid battery solutions. The hull will be optimized for high performance in seabed mapping, ensuring excellent position-keeping capability and greater operational efficiency, while advanced stabilization systems will significantly reduce movements and acceleration.
The vessel will also be certified according to the latest IACS cybersecurity requirements, ensuring high levels of resilience and protection of critical onboard systems against emerging digital threats.
“This contract represents a significant milestone for the Fincantieri Group, marking the largest order ever acquired by VARD for a single unit and confirming our global reference role in the construction of highly specialized and high-tech vessels for operations in the underwater domain. Fincantieri plays an enabling role in the development of technologically advanced solutions, contributing to the creation of unique platforms for the most complex applications in the deep-sea sector . The project combines scale, technological complexity and scientific ambition, reflecting our ability to design and build next-generation solutions for deep-sea exploration. It also confirms the strategic importance of the underwater domain for Fincantieri, in which we continue to invest and innovate, leveraging our distinctive skills to support increasingly complex missions, from scientific research to the monitoring and protection of critical underwater infrastructures”
Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and General Manager of Fincantieri
Onboard spaces will include state-of-the-art laboratories, workshops, and scientific areas, as well as high-end accommodations for up to 130 crew and researchers, designed to ensure high standards of comfort and optimal working conditions.
Through its integrated supply chain, VARD will manage the entire process, from design and hull construction to outfitting, integration, and final delivery. The hull will be built at the VARD shipyard in Tulcea, Romania, while outfitting, testing, commissioning, and delivery will be carried out at one of the Group’s shipyards in Norway.
