Keel Laying Commences for Italian Navy Hydro-Oceanographic Vessel (NIOM)

The NIOM, Italy's new hydro-oceanographic ship, boasts green technologies and advanced scientific capabilities to support mapping and monitoring efforts, replacing aging vessels in the Navy's fleet. Scheduled for delivery in 2026, it will navigate the Mediterranean and Arctic, equipped for diverse surveys and environmental assessments.

Fincantieri, in collaboration with the Italian Ministry of Defense and the New Ships Outfitting Centre of the Italian Navy, recently marked a significant milestone with the attendance of a ceremony for the unveiling of a new hydro-oceanographic ship. This vessel, named NIOM, is tailored for mapping and scientific monitoring tasks, as well as supporting initiatives of the Italian Navy Hydrographic Institute.

Crafted with a keen focus on environmental sustainability, the NIOM integrates various technologies to reduce emissions and optimize fuel consumption. Its diesel-electric propulsion system, coupled with hull form optimization, minimizes resistance, while the use of eco-friendly materials further enhances its green credentials.

With its diverse scientific capabilities, the NIOM emerges as a pivotal asset in advancing the United Nations' sustainable development objectives at sea. Its construction, undertaken at the Riva Trigoso-Muggiano integrated shipyard, stems from a €284 million contract awarded to Fincantieri via a competitive EU tender. The agreement encompasses integrated logistics support and temporary services for six years, extendable up to ten years.

Scheduled for delivery in 2026, the NIOM is designed to navigate both the Mediterranean and emerging Arctic frontiers. Boasting dimensions of approximately 110 meters in length and 20 meters in beam, it will weigh around 6,100 tonnes at full load. Equipped with advanced scientific instrumentation, the ship is primed to conduct a wide array of surveys, including bathymetric, topographical, and geodetic assessments, alongside magnetic anomalies surveys and Rapid Environmental Assessment operations.

Notably, the NIOM will house autonomous underwater vehicles capable of delving to depths exceeding 3,000 meters, complemented by surface and air unmanned platforms. Its Integrated Full Electric Propulsion (IFEP) plan and IMO DP2 dynamic positioning system ensure efficient and precise maneuverability, while an innovative underwater operational center positions it as a pivotal node in future underwater operative networks envisioned by the Italian Navy.

Moreover, the vessel features a spacious flight deck for helicopter operations, alongside provisions for at-sea refueling and replenishment. Accommodations onboard cater to a total of 140 individuals, including crew and scientific personnel, with medical facilities meeting NATO Role 1 standards.

In essence, the NIOM represents a cutting-edge addition to the Navy's hydrographic service, embodying a blend of technological innovation and environmental stewardship. Its commissioning heralds a new era in maritime research and exploration, bolstering Italy's commitment to safeguarding the seas for generations to come.