01/29/2026
In a ceremony marked by both tradition and adaptability, Fincantieri christened the Italian Navy’s new oceanographic vessel, Quirinale, at its historic Riva Trigoso shipyard. While adverse sea conditions postponed the physical launch, the event served as a powerful showcase of Italian naval engineering and, more significantly, the towering commercial strength of the Fincantieri group.
The highlight came from CEO Pierroberto Folgiero, who underscored the corporation’s robust health: “We have over 60 billion euros in orders that will allow us 10 years of work.” This statement frames the christening not just as a naval milestone, but as a testament to the stability and future of Italy’s premier shipbuilder and its vast network of specialized suppliers.
A Vessel for Science and Synergy
The Quirinale is a sophisticated, unarmed platform destined for global research. With a length of 110 meters and a displacement of 6,400 tons, it is built to operate in extreme environments, withstanding water temperatures as low as -20° Celsius. Scheduled for delivery in 2027, it will replace the 50-year-old Ammiraglio Magnaghi, which was built at the same yard.
The event emphasized the deep-rooted collaboration between Fincantieri and the Italian Navy. “Nave Quirinale is the expression of Fincantieri’s scientific evolution; it is a ship with important research tasks in the most remote areas of the earth,” stated President Biagio Mazzotta.
Chief of Staff Admiral Giuseppe Berutti Bergotto echoed this, praising the “great work done in synergy” to create a vessel that will host 35 researchers alongside an 80-person military crew.
More Than a Launch: A Signal of Industrial Strength
The christening, attended by Undersecretaries of Defense Isabella Rauti and Matteo Perego di Cremnago, Ligurian Governor Marco Bucci, and local officials, was as much about industrial policy as naval advancement.
CEO Folgiero’s revelation of a €60 billion order book is a key indicator for the national and European defense and maritime industry. It guarantees not only a decade of activity for Fincantieri’s direct workforce but also for the ecosystem of high-tech companies providing “sophisticated, cutting-edge systems,” as Folgiero noted.
This immense backlog, encompassing naval and civilian vessels, provides rare long-term visibility in a cyclical industry, securing Italy’s strategic sovereignty in shipbuilding and positioning Fincantieri as a global industrial leader.
Looking Ahead:
While the Quirinale will soon take to the sea for its final outfitting, the message from Riva Trigoso is firmly anchored on land: Fincantieri is operating with a decade of guaranteed work, driving innovation and employment, and continuing a century-old partnership with the Italian Navy to navigate the challenges of the future.