en.Wedoany.com Reported - Italian shipbuilding group Fincantieri announced that its Norwegian subsidiary Vard has signed a contract to design and build two multi-purpose buoy and lighthouse maintenance vessels for the UK's General Lighthouse Authority, Trinity House, with a contract value exceeding €220 million.
The project, awarded through an open tender, is part of Trinity House's "Future Forward" program, aimed at renewing its fleet of three vessels. The new ships will replace the current THV Patricia and THV Galatea to enhance the safety, efficiency, and reliability of navigation aid services, and support the maintenance of critical maritime infrastructure in UK waters.
The vessel design is based on the Vard 9 601 concept, developed jointly by Vard Marine in Canada and Vard Design in Norway. These highly versatile multi-role platforms will integrate buoy maintenance, hydrographic survey, and emergency response capabilities to support Trinity House's mission as one of the world's oldest and most respected maritime organizations.
In addition to vessel construction, the contract includes a training collaboration between Trinity House and Vard Marine in Canada, providing opportunities for apprentices and students to develop maritime skills through international cooperation. The agreement also commits to involving the UK supply chain throughout the construction project.
Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and General Manager of Fincantieri, stated that this contract is a significant recognition of Vard's expertise and Fincantieri's industrial and technological leadership in complex vessel manufacturing. Supporting an organization like Trinity House means contributing to the safety, resilience, and reliability of maritime services through solutions that integrate sustainability, innovation, and long-term vision. The project reflects the company's commitment to developing strategic capabilities that are increasingly shaping the future of the maritime sector—from energy transition and digitalization to the security and resilience of critical systems and infrastructure.
The two vessels will feature hybrid propulsion systems and battery energy storage solutions to reduce fuel consumption and environmental footprint, achieve zero-emission operations in port, and enhance operational efficiency during transit and dynamic positioning. Designed for future adaptability, the vessels can also be converted to run on methanol fuel to further reduce environmental impact over their operational lifespan.
In addition to advanced environmental performance, the vessels will integrate modern digital and cybersecurity capabilities to support the secure and resilient operation of onboard systems, reflecting the growing importance of cyber resilience in the maritime domain.
The vessels will be built utilizing Vard's global integrated value chain, with delivery scheduled for the second quarter and the fourth quarter of 2029 from one of Vard's shipyards in Norway.
