Fincantieri Group, through VARD, is joining the European NAVHYS project

The decarbonization of the maritime sector plays a key role in the energy transition. Fincantieri has designed a clear vision and a comprehensive action plan to lead the sector towards a more sustainable future, as outlined in its 2023-2027 Industrial Plan.

In this context, the strategic importance of the European innovation project NAVHYS becomes clear. The European initiative aims to develop an advanced system for storing and utilizing liquid hydrogen (LH2) for maritime propulsion. One of the key players in this project is the Norwegian company VARD, a subsidiary of Fincantieri Group and a global leader in the construction of specialized vessels for the offshore wind market.

The NAVHYS liquid hydrogen project and the role of VARD

VARD is a leading player in the design and construction of highly specialized vessels, with a strong focus on innovation and sustainability. In line with the Group’s vision, the company shares a commitment to the energy transition and to reducing the environmental impact in the maritime sector. VARD's involvement in the NAVHYS project highlights its pivotal role in developing innovative technological solutions for the future of maritime transportation, which, in line with European goals, aims to achieve zero emissions by 2050.

NAVHYS is a European initiative involving 11 partners, led by ArianeGroup, with the support of the Clean Hydrogen Partnership and co-financing from the European Union.

The project's goal is to develop and integrate an innovative system for storing and utilizing liquid hydrogen in the maritime sector. This system will then be used on a Service Operation Vessel (SOV) designed by VARD for North Star. The vessel, which is certified by Bureau Veritas, will use liquid hydrogen as its primary energy source, harnessing the hydrogen storage and utilization technology developed by the NAVHYS project.

This "service" vessel is essential for the offshore wind sector, as it enables the transportation of materials and equipment needed for the construction and maintenance of wind farms located in open seas. With the integration of the LH2 system, the vessel will operate with zero emissions, making a significant contribution to the decarbonization of maritime transportation.

The adoption of liquid hydrogen represents one of the most promising solutions for reducing the environmental impact of the maritime sector. However, this solution presents significant technical challenges, such as the need for tanks capable of maintaining hydrogen at extremely low temperatures (-253°C) and the adaptation of port infrastructure. NAVHYS aims to overcome these challenges by leveraging ArianeGroup's expertise in hydrogen management for space applications.

A concrete commitment to sustainable maritime transport

VARD's involvement in the NAVHYS project aligns perfectly with Fincantieri's sustainability strategy, which is firmly focused on driving the energy transition and reducing emissions in the maritime sector. The use of hydrogen as an energy source marks a pivotal turning point, enabling the development of increasingly green solutions for navigation and port infrastructure.

We are actively committed to developing technologies that reduce emissions, including designing vessels with innovative propulsion systems and utilizing advanced materials to enhance energy efficiency. Our goal is to lead the evolution of the sector towards a new generation of "green ships" that are powered by renewable energy and integrated with digital technologies.

The future of navigation for Fincantieri: hybrid ships and integrated solutions

As well as developing new energy sources, the future of sustainable navigation will also rely on more efficient resource management. The next-generation ships will be equipped with artificial intelligence systems to monitor consumption and reduce waste, optimizing lighting, air conditioning, and recycling processes. This work complements ongoing research into alternative fuels, as evidenced by VARD's participation in the NAVHYS project.

Fincantieri Group, with the support of its subsidiaries, is deeply committed to the construction of hybrid ships that integrate various available technologies, from liquid hydrogen to biofuels, and from LNG to electric, in order to maximize efficiency and sustainability.

In fact, we have set ourselves the ambitious goal of building the first zero-emission ship by 2035, 15 years ahead of the European target for 2050. Already today, thanks to innovations such as waste heat recovery and the use of alternative fuels, our ships are consuming 50% less energy than they did two decades ago. The journey ahead is long, but we are definitely heading in the right direction.