Italian industry players Fincantieri and Saipem have joined forces to redefine the landscape of subsea operations, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop autonomous subsea vehicles and bolster surveillance and control of underwater infrastructure.
The MoU was signed at Palazzo Marina, headquarters of the Italian Navy’s General Staff, and will see the merging of Fincantieri’s industry experiences in surface vessels and submarines with Saipem’s autonomous subsea drone programme, dubbed “Hydrone”.
Saipem’s advancements in autonomous subsea drones, capable of navigating depths of up to 3,000m, underscore the company’s position as a global player in underwater technology. With roots in Marghera and Trieste, these drones have already gained experience in the offshore energy market, catering to the needs of significant energy conglomerates.
Meanwhile, Fincantieri’s legacy in submarine construction, spanning over nine decades, accentuates its role in helping to shape the future of the subsea sector. The group has delivered 180 submarines, including 105 from its Muggiano shipyard. The group’s commitment to integration between defence and civil industries is poised to drive advancements in underwater capabilities.
In February this year, the UAE’s EDGE Group and Italy’s Fincantieri also formed a joint venture, with EDGE holding a 51% stake, focusing on naval manufacturing and aiming to seize global shipbuilding opportunities, particularly in non-Nato markets.
The implications of this collaboration extend far beyond the confines of the Italian coastline. As geopolitical tensions underscore the strategic importance of the subsea domain, Fincantieri and Saipem’s alliance positions them to address the evolving challenges of maritime security and infrastructure surveillance on a global scale.
With their sights set on becoming the preeminent authority in subsea robotics and surveillance, Fincantieri and Saipem are poised to chart new waters, where they attempt to reshape underwater exploration and security.
