Fincantieri signs a memorandum of understanding in Albania for training in shipbuilding

Fincantieri, KAYO - a company specializing in the development of strategic industrial infrastructure and controlled by the Albanian Ministry of Defence - and the “Pavarësia” Vocational Institute of Vlora, today signed, at the Pashaliman shipyard, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at developing training activities and educational pathways dedicated to shipbuilding and naval construction.

The ceremony took place in the presence of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania, Edi Rama; the Albanian Minister of Defense, Ermal Nufi; the CEO and Managing Director of Fincantieri, Pierroberto Folgiero; the CEO of KAYO, Ardi Veliu; and the General Manager of Fincantieri’s Naval Vessels Division, Eugenio Santagata.

During the ceremony, the name of the Joint Venture established by Fincantieri and KAYO and announced last may -Fincantieri Albania - was also officially unveiled. The JV will lead the relaunch and modernization of the Pashaliman shipyard.

The agreement represents a further step in the industrial collaboration path initiated by Fincantieri in Albaniaand aims to develop the professional skills needed to support the growth of the new local shipbuilding capabilities. The Memorandum provides for cooperation between the Parties to launch training modules, internship activities, and educational initiatives dedicated to students of the Vocational Institute, with the possibility, following the pilot phase, of developing a specialized track focused on shipbuilding and naval construction.

Through this initiative, Fincantieri will make its industrial and technological know-how available, contributing to the definition of training content, the upskilling of teaching staff, and the dissemination of the skills necessary to support the development of future local production capacity.

The program will involve students from the “Pavarësia” Vocational Institute enrolled in General Mechanics, Electrical Engineering, Thermo-hydraulics, Transport Services, and Information and Communication Technologies. Through specialized modules, hands-on activities, and internship pathways, the initiative aims to foster the development of technical skills directly aligned with the needs of modern shipbuilding, creating new training and employment opportunities for young Albanians.

The training programme has been designed in close connection with the industrial development of the PashaLiman site and with the professional profiles that will gradually be required by the new production reality. In particular, activities will cover areas such as ship carpentry and hull manufacturing, mechanical and electrical systems, HVAC and air conditioning systems, ship outfitting, painting, insulation, and support activities for the construction and maintenance of naval units. The goal is to create a base of qualified skills capable of supporting the shipyard’s growth and sustaining the development of the entire local industrial supply chain.

The initiative is part of the broader industrial project developed by Fincantieri and KAYO for the relaunch and modernization of the Pashaliman shipyard, which is set to become a production hub specialized in the construction and maintenance of naval units for the defense industry, with a particular focus on the Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) segment. In this context, training represents one of the fundamental pillars of the Group’s development model, based on know-how transfer, the enhancement of human capital, and the growth of local skills.

For Fincantieri, Albania holds increasing strategic importance, representing a key partner for the development of new industrial and maritime capabilities in support of the security and stability of the Euro-Atlantic area. In this framework, the Pashaliman project is conceived as a long-term industrial initiative capable of supporting the needs of the Albanian Navy while also creating a competitive production platform for regional and international markets.

Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and Managing Director of Fincantieri, commented “Training is the starting point for any sustainable, long-term industrial project. Through this agreement, we aim to contribute to the development of new skills in the Albanian shipbuilding sector by making available the know-how and experience developed by Fincantieri. Albania is a strategic partner with whom we share a vision of development based on innovation, expertise, and industrial growth. Investing in people means creating the conditions to generate lasting value, strengthening the competitiveness of the Mediterranean maritime system, and supporting the development of a modern and integrated industrial ecosystem, while also contributing to the enhancement of defense capabilities and maritime security.”