- A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the two companies with the aim of evaluating opportunities for cooperation in subsea robotics for surveillance and control of critical underwater infrastructure

Fincantieri, the only shipbuilding group in the world active in all high-tech marine industry sectors, and Saipem, global leader in the engineering and construction of infrastructure for the energy sector, both offshore and onshore, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to evaluate commercial and industrial opportunities for cooperation in the field of autonomous subsea vehicles and their integration with surface and underwater units. The Memorandum, signed at Palazzo Marina, the headquarters of the General Staff of the Italian Navy, is among the initiatives aimed at promoting and developing national excellence in the Underwater sector.

The agreement aims to enable the two companies to participate in major programmes in the Italian and international markets in the area of surveillance and control of critical underwater infrastructure and rescue activities, through the use of specific complementary technologies from Fincantieri and Saipem. The collaboration involves the integration of surface vessels and submarines built by Fincantieri with the drone development programme “Hydrone” developed by Sonsub, Saipem's centre of excellence for subsea technologies and solutions.

Saipem is in fact the first company in the world to have qualified and commercialised resident autonomous subsea drones for intervention and inspection activities at depths of up to 3,000 m. Designed and industrialised between Marghera (Venice) and Trieste, they have already been deployed for the control and maintenance of underwater infrastructure in the offshore energy market at the service of major energy companies.

Fincantieri has placed itself at the centre of development programmes in the Underwater sector, with extremely promising business opportunities, also thanks to its ability to guide an effective integration between the Defence and civil industries. Since 1929, the Group has built 180 submarines, 105 of which at the Muggiano shipyard.

By signing the Memorandum of Understanding, Fincantieri and Saipem aim to become a key reference for the subsea domain, whose strategic relevance is becoming increasingly evident in the current geopolitical context.

About Saipem

Saipem is a global leader in the engineering and construction of major projects for the energy and infrastructure sectors, both offshore and onshore. Saipem is “One Company” organized into five business lines - Asset Based Services, Energy Carriers, Offshore Wind, Sustainable Infrastructures, Robotics & Industrialized Solutions. The company has 7 fabrication yards and an offshore fleet of 21 construction vessels (of which 17 owned and 4 owned by third parties and managed by Saipem) and 15 drilling rigs, of which 9 owned. Always oriented towards technological innovation, the company’s purpose is “Engineering for a sustainable future”. As such Saipem is committed to supporting its clients on the energy transition pathway towards Net Zero, with increasingly digital means, technologies and processes geared for environmental sustainability. Listed on the Milan Stock Exchange, it is present in more than 50 countries around the world and employs about 30,000 people of over 120 nationalities.

About Fincantieri

Fincantieri is one of the largest shipbuilding companies in the world, with over 230 years of history and more than 7,000 ships built.
We are the change we want to bring in the global naval-mechanics industry.
We are leaders in all high value added segments: cruise ships, defence vessels, and specialized offshore vessels.
We are a reference player for major cruise operators, the exclusive supplier for the Italian Navy, a partner of the US Navy and numerous foreign navies, and a key player in some of the most important European Defence partnership programs.
We specialize in ship repairs and conversions, the production of systems and components for the mechanical and electrical sectors, naval interior design solutions, electronic and software systems, infrastructure, marine projects, and post-sales support services.
We are an international company with headquarters and expertise based in Italy. We have 10,000 employees and generate approximately 90,000 jobs, which double on a global scale thanks to a production network consisting of 18 facilities on four continents.