Vard, the Fincantieri subsidiary, has signed a contract for the design and construction of eight robotised ships for Ocean Infinity, supplying maritime services to the United States and United Kingdom.

In close partnership with the client and regulatory bodies, the Fincantieri subsidiary has developed the design, Vard 9 60, a high-tech multi-use platform, allowing to remotely control ships from land, with a consequential reduction in necessary staff.

The units, which will be 78 metres long, will be equipped with next generation technology in order to reduce their impact on the environment, like fuel cells, and will be among the first units in the world to be fitted for the use of green ammonia as a fuel.

The subsidiary Vard Electro has also further developed its consolidated systems of integrated automation, SeaQ and SeaQ Power Management System, to guarantee both safety during remote operation, as well as communication in compliance with the highest standards of cyber security.

The contract marks Vard’s first steps in a new sector within the maritime industry, thanks to its skills in designing and building increasingly innovative units with reduced environmental impact. A wide range of suppliers working with the Norwegian maritime cluster will be involved in the project, becoming an agent for the local economy. The eight ships will be built in Vard’s shipyard, Vard Vung Tau in Vietnam, with delivery planned for mid 2022 and 2023.

“We are honoured – said Alberto Maestrini, Ceo for Vard – to be working as partners with Ocean Infinity in this project, thanks to which the maritime industry will take an extraordinary step forward. These will, indeed, become the ships of the future, which we will develop and build following our strategy based on searching for solutions that are increasingly innovative and sustainable.”

Ocean Infinity is a marine robotics company that uses autonomous robots, usually in a fleet formation. Ocean Infinity supports its clients through the use of the most recent technology, it is present in all markets with its research for the safest, most environmentally friendly and profitable methods of working at sea.

The series of eight ships will go on to expand the “Armada” fleet, which has just been launched by Ocean Infinity, and includes the latest in marine robotics technology, including autonomous underwater vehicles and remote controlled surface vessels. The new ships have been specifically developed to work as multiple-role ships and will support the operations of Ocean Infinity around the world.

Giuseppe Orrù