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Isotta Fraschini Motori (IFM), a Fincantieri Group company specialized in advanced fuel cell technologies and a historic brand of Italian manufacturing excellence, has inaugurated a new production line at its Bari facility dedicated to the development and testing of hydrogen fuel cell systems.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Nicola Bonasia, Mayor of Modugno; Antonio Decaro, Chair of the ENVI Committee of the European Parliament; the appointed representatives of the President of the Apulia Region, the Mayor of Bari, and the Chief of Staff of the Italian Navy. Representing Fincantieri were Chairman Biagio Mazzotta, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of the Group, Pierroberto Folgiero, as well as Chairman and CEO of Isotta Fraschini Motori, Sergio Razeto and Andrea Bochicchio.

This new production line represents a strategic investment that reinforces the role of Isotta Fraschini Motori and the Fincantieri Group in technological innovation for the energy transition, with applications across both civil and defense sectors. The systems developed will be deployed in naval and land-based solutions, contributing to the decarbonization of transport and industry.

Among the first applications is the marinized fuel cell module produced by IFM, which will be installed on board the Viking Libra, the world’s first cruise ship powered by hydrogen stored on board and used both for propulsion and for electricity generation. This represents a concrete example of Fincantieri Group’s ability to be the first adopter of its own solutions, implementing a vertical integration model that accelerates the introduction of zero-emission technologies and strengthens its industrial leadership in the ecological transition.

The new line is part of the Innovation and Development Center (CIS) launched in 2023, supported by the European Regional Development Fund – Puglia. It is a key milestone in the transformation of the Bari plant into a cutting-edge Net Zero Technology Hub. Within an integrated industrial ecosystem approach, Isotta Fraschini Motori with an economic commitment of around 30 euro million over five years—partly financed by IPCEI funds—plans to develop innovative zero-emission systems and significantly reduce its carbon footprint, including through energy recovery from production processes.

This commitment is part of Fincantieri Group’s broader focus on sustainable innovation through strategic initiatives such as Wave 2 the Future, part of the Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI) “Hy2Tech” on hydrogen. The goal is to develop enabling technologies for the use of hydrogen in the maritime sector, promoting the shift toward decarbonized mobility and contributing to the creation of a competitive European industrial ecosystem.

“With the inauguration of Isotta Fraschini Motori’s new fuel cell production line, Fincantieri takes a decisive step toward the future of naval technology,” said Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and General Manager of Fincantieri.
“This is a commitment that brings our strategic vision to life: leading the sustainable transformation of the industry through our hallmark innovation capabilities and strong local presence. Our goal is to make hydrogen a tangible lever for competitiveness and decarbonization of the European industrial system, and to consolidate our role as a leader in the adoption of pioneering technologies.”

IFM technologies will initially be adopted within the Group, further confirming Fincantieri’s ability to act as the first user of its solutions—generating added value and accelerating the path toward energy transition.

The new production line marks a fundamental step in Fincantieri Group’s industrial strategy. Through Isotta Fraschini Motori, the Group continues to invest in the development of innovative technologies, creating economic value and employment in the region while making a concrete contribution to the industrial growth of Southern Italy.

Isotta Fraschini Motori delivers advanced solutions to global customers in the naval and industrial sectors, including the Italian Navy. A long-standing defense supplier, the company is a leader in the development of non-magnetic engines for minehunters and high-performance generators designed to operate in extreme conditions with low magnetic and acoustic signatures.