Fincantieri – Cantieri Navali Italiani S.p.A. and ABB S.p.A. have signed an agreement to create an equally owned joint venture in Italy for the design, development, and delivery of marine integrated automation systems for the naval, cruise, ferry and megayacht markets. The company will be headquartered in Genoa.
Marine integrated automation enables real time monitoring and control of ship systems, such as propulsion, electrical plant, safety systems and auxiliary systems.
Integrated automation systems play an increasingly important role in shipbuilding greatly facilitating the development and construction of a single control platform with considerable benefits both for ship functionality and performance.
Furthermore, integrated automation systems also improve operational efficiency and lead to reduced maintenance and running costs.
Through this alliance between the two Groups, both leaders in their respective markets, ABB and Fincantieri intend to further enhance and develop their know how in the technologies and application of marine automation systems with the aim of gaining a leading position worldwide.
The new company will be constituted once the customary authorizations from the regulatory authorities have been issued.
Trieste, 12 January 2009
Headquartered in Trieste, Fincantieri (www.fincantieri.com) is one of the largest shipbuilding groups in the world employing approximately 30,000 people (including suppliers). The company is world leader in the construction of cruise ships and large ferries and also has a substantial order book in the naval sector. Its design centres are located in Genoa and Trieste, the largest in Europe.
ABB (www.abb.com) is a leading company in power and automation technologies which enable utility companies and industries to improve their performance while also lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group employs approximately 120,000 people working in over 100 different countries.