TRIESTE – The Fincantieri group has secured one of the most important contracts in its history in the special vessels segment. Its Norwegian subsidiary VARD will build for the अमेरिकी research organisation Inkfish a new oceanographic vessel for deep-sea exploration worth around €700 million.
The agreement represents the largest order ever secured by VARD for a single unit and, according to the company, the largest contract of this kind ever awarded to a Norwegian shipyard.
The vessel, named RV11000, will be 162 metres long and 28 metres wide and is scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2030. The project builds on the experience gained with RV6000, another research vessel commissioned by Inkfish from VARD in 2025 and currently under construction. Both vessels will become part of the US organisation’s fleet, which is engaged in marine research and the sharing of scientific data through open-source archives.
Developed by Vard Design in Ålesund in cooperation with Inkfish, the new unit will be designed for seabed mapping, coring, sampling and missions involving submersibles, autonomous vehicles and ROVs down to a depth of 11,000 metres, enabling it to reach the deepest areas of the oceans.
Among the most innovative features is one of the largest battery storage systems ever installed on a vessel, allowing up to 12 hours of silent operations during scientific activities. Propulsion will combine direct-current technologies and battery-hybrid systems to improve efficiency and sustainability.
Particular attention has also been paid to operational performance. The hull will be optimised for seabed survey activities and to ensure high station-keeping accuracy, while advanced stabilisation systems will significantly reduce motion and vibration during missions. The vessel will also be certified in accordance with the latest IACS international classification standards on cybersecurity, with systems designed to protect onboard digital infrastructure from increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.
On board there will be state-of-the-art scientific laboratories, workshops and research areas, as well as accommodation for up to 130 people, including crew, technicians and researchers.
VARD will oversee the entire production cycle through its integrated supply chain. The hull will be built at the Tulcea shipyard, while outfitting, trials and final delivery will be carried out at one of the group’s Norwegian shipyards.
Pierroberto Folgiero, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of Fincantieri described the contract as a significant milestone for Fincantieri and VARD, stressing that the order confirms the group’s leadership in the construction of high-technology vessels for underwater operations. He highlighted that the project combines innovation, engineering complexity and scientific research, strengthening the strategic role of the underwater sector in the group’s future activities and investments.
