Vard, the Norwegian subsidiary of the Fincantieri group specializing in the construction of special vessels, has signed a contract worth more than 220 million euros to design and build two multipurpose vessels for the maintenance of buoys and lighthouses for Trinity House, the general lighthouse authority for England, Wales, the Channel Islands and Gibraltar. Deliveries are expected in the second and fourth quarters of 2029 from one of the Vard shipyards in Norway, we read in a note from the last few hours.
A contract won through public tender
The contract was awarded following a public tender and is part of Trinity House’s three-unit fleet renewal programme. The two new vessels will replace the THV Patricia and THV Galatea, strengthening the organisation’s ability to deliver “safe, efficient and reliable” aids to navigation services in UK waters.
The units will be built based on the Vard 9 601 design, developed by Vard Marine in Canada in collaboration with Vard Design in Norway. Conceived as “highly versatile” multipurpose platforms, they will combine buoy maintenance operations, hydrographic survey activities and emergency response capabilities.
Hybrid propulsion and advanced digital systems
From a technological point of view, the ships will be equipped with hybrid propulsion and battery energy storage systems, designed to reduce fuel consumption and environmental impact. They will be able to operate with zero emissions during their stay in port and will be prepared for a possible future conversion to methanol fuel. Advanced digital and cybersecurity systems will also be integrated on board, in line with the growing needs for cyber resilience in the maritime sector.
Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and general manager of Fincantieri, commented: “The award of this contract represents an important recognition of VARD’s expertise and Fincantieri’s industrial and technological leadership in the construction of complex ships. Supporting an organization like Trinity House means contributing to the safety, reliability and resilience of maritime services and infrastructures through solutions that combine sustainability, innovation and a long-term vision. This program reflects our commitment to developing strategic capabilities that are redefining the future of the maritime sector, from energy transition and digitalisation, to the security and resilience of critical infrastructures and systems”.
A partnership for training
The contract also includes a training component: a partnership is envisaged between Vard, Trinity House and Vard Marine in Canada for the international exchange of skills, with programs dedicated to apprentices and students in the maritime sector.