PRINTTHE HEAD OF THE STATE AT LAUNCH OF THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER “CAVOUR”
20 July 2004
The Head of the State, Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, and the Minister of the Defence, Antonio Martino, attended the ceremony held today at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Riva Trigoso (Genoa) to mark the launch of the aircraft carrier, the “Cavour”, which was ordered by the Italian Navy in November 2000.
Also present at the ceremony were the Chief of Staff of the Defence, Admiral Giampaolo Di Paola, the Chief of Staff of the Navy, Admiral Sergio Biraghi.
Fincantieri was represented by its Chairman, Corrado Antonini, its Deputy Chairman, Roberto Tana and its Chief Executive Officer, Giuseppe Bono.
The ship’s godmother was Mrs Antonella Augusta di San Martino di San Germano and the vessel was blessed by the Archbishop of Genoa, H.E. Tarcisio Bertone.
Through the “Cavour”, a cutting edge, high tech vessel which is a key element in Italy’s fleet renewal programme, Fincantieri has further strengthened its long-standing, close relationship with the Navy.
The ship, which has a displacement at full load of 27,100 tonnes, an overall length of 244 metres, a maximum beam of 39 metres, a draught of 8.7 metres and a sustained speed of 28 knots, will have a range of 7,000 nautical miles at 16 knots, equivalent to approximately 18 days sailing, which will enable her to carry out long range operations.
The propulsion plant of the "Cavour" - with four General Electric–Avio turbines generating 88,000 kW - is the most powerful non nuclear plant to be built in the world in recent decades.
The “Cavour” can accommodate up to 1,210 people - ship’s complement (451), aircrew (203), amphibious command task force (140), and San Marco Battalion (325), with space for an extra 91 troops if required.
The aircraft carrier, which Fincantieri started building in summer 2001 for delivery in 2007, will mainly carry out air operations; her hangar will also be able to accommodate land vehicles and will be equipped with access ramps for wheeled and tracked vehicles, both for military and civilian missions. The vessel will also be able to embark the full range of aircraft types used by the Navy: helicopters (EH 101, NH 90 and SH 3D) and aeroplanes (AV-8B and, in future, Joint Strike Fighters).
In building the vessel Fincantieri drew greatly on the company’s experience in merchant shipbuilding where the company is a world leader in the field of cruise ships and large ferries. Transfer of dual knowledge and expertise gained both in the naval and in the merchant field leads to important synergies and is considered one of the company’s pillars of strength.
In addition to the “Cavour”, Fincantieri’s Naval Vessel Business Unit is also building for the Italian Navy two class U212A submarines, within the framework of an Italian-German programme, and two “Orizzonte” class frigates within a joint Italian-French project.
Also present at the ceremony were the Chief of Staff of the Defence, Admiral Giampaolo Di Paola, the Chief of Staff of the Navy, Admiral Sergio Biraghi.
Fincantieri was represented by its Chairman, Corrado Antonini, its Deputy Chairman, Roberto Tana and its Chief Executive Officer, Giuseppe Bono.
The ship’s godmother was Mrs Antonella Augusta di San Martino di San Germano and the vessel was blessed by the Archbishop of Genoa, H.E. Tarcisio Bertone.
Through the “Cavour”, a cutting edge, high tech vessel which is a key element in Italy’s fleet renewal programme, Fincantieri has further strengthened its long-standing, close relationship with the Navy.
The ship, which has a displacement at full load of 27,100 tonnes, an overall length of 244 metres, a maximum beam of 39 metres, a draught of 8.7 metres and a sustained speed of 28 knots, will have a range of 7,000 nautical miles at 16 knots, equivalent to approximately 18 days sailing, which will enable her to carry out long range operations.
The propulsion plant of the "Cavour" - with four General Electric–Avio turbines generating 88,000 kW - is the most powerful non nuclear plant to be built in the world in recent decades.
The “Cavour” can accommodate up to 1,210 people - ship’s complement (451), aircrew (203), amphibious command task force (140), and San Marco Battalion (325), with space for an extra 91 troops if required.
The aircraft carrier, which Fincantieri started building in summer 2001 for delivery in 2007, will mainly carry out air operations; her hangar will also be able to accommodate land vehicles and will be equipped with access ramps for wheeled and tracked vehicles, both for military and civilian missions. The vessel will also be able to embark the full range of aircraft types used by the Navy: helicopters (EH 101, NH 90 and SH 3D) and aeroplanes (AV-8B and, in future, Joint Strike Fighters).
In building the vessel Fincantieri drew greatly on the company’s experience in merchant shipbuilding where the company is a world leader in the field of cruise ships and large ferries. Transfer of dual knowledge and expertise gained both in the naval and in the merchant field leads to important synergies and is considered one of the company’s pillars of strength.
In addition to the “Cavour”, Fincantieri’s Naval Vessel Business Unit is also building for the Italian Navy two class U212A submarines, within the framework of an Italian-German programme, and two “Orizzonte” class frigates within a joint Italian-French project.