Fincantieri will design and build a new multitasking OPV

On 15 November, the Italian shipbuilding company Fincantieri, a consortium with Cantiere Navale Vittoria, signed an agreement with Corpo delle Capitanerie di porto – Guardia Costiera to build a large sea patrol for the Italian coastguard.

Modern patrol units for the Italian Coast Guard – contract for building multi-purpose OPVs

The contract concluded is worth approximately EUR 80 million and concerns not only the developed OPV project and its construction, but also 5-year support for the operation of the unit. The agreement also includes an option to build two more ships of this type.

New units are to be designed on the basis of experience of use provided by Fincantieri, in the years 2013-14 of the OPV typeLuigi Dattilo.

The new vessel will be able to carry out various Coast Guard missions: marine rescue, security of navigation, protection of the marine environment, control of fishing and civil protection installations.Thanks to moderntechnology and advanced communication and reconnaissance systems in equipment, new ships will have the ability to command and control the operations of aircraft and marine vessels.

At a total length of approximately 85 metres, the ship will have excellent sea qualities as well as high maneuverability, guaranteed by the azimutal electric propulsion system (two azipods), and two forward jet rudders. Such a propulsion systemwill also meetthe role of the dynamic positioning system.

A large working deck with cranes and ramps, along with an aircraft deck for helicopters, a separate rescue zone with RHIB, pollution systems, hospital space and other equipment, will provide the unit with the necessary multi-tasking capacity. The OPV is to be autonomous for at least 20 days and a range exceeding 4,800 nautical miles.

Written by TW