Isotta Fraschini Motori (IFM), A subsidiary of Fincantieri specialized in advanced fuel cell technologies and a historic Made in Italy brand, it has inaugurated a new production line dedicated to the development and testing of hydrogen Fuel Cell systems at the Bari shipyard.
The new production line represents a strategic investment that strengthens the role of Isotta Fraschini Motori and the Fincantieri Group in technological innovation for the energy transition, with applications in the civil and defense sectors. The systems developed will be destined for naval and land solutions, contributing to the decarbonization of transport and industry.
Among the first applications, the marinized module of fuel cells produced by IFM that will be installed on board the Viking Libra, the first cruise ship in the world powered by hydrogen stored on board and used for both propulsion and electricity generation. This is a concrete example of the Fincantieri Group’s ability to be the first user of its solutions, implementing a vertical integration model that accelerates the introduction of zero-emission technologies and strengthens industrial leadership in the ecological transition.
An integral part of the Innovation and Development Center (CIS) launched in 2023 thanks also to the support of the Puglia European Regional Development Fund, the new line is part of the transformation of the Bari plant into a cutting-edge Net Zero-oriented Technological Hub. With a view to an integrated industrial ecosystem, Isotta Fraschini Motori, with an economic commitment of about 30 million euros over five years, part of which financed through IPCEI funds, aims to develop innovative zero-emission systems and significantly reduce its carbon footprint, also through energy recovery from the production process.
The inauguration is part of the Fincantieri Group’s broader commitment to sustainable innovation through strategic projects such as Wave 2 the Future, part of the Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI) “Hy2Tech” on hydrogen. The aim is to develop enabling technologies for the use of hydrogen in the maritime sector, fostering the transition to decarbonised mobility and contributing to the construction of a competitive European industrial ecosystem.
“With the inauguration of the new fuel cell production line of Isotta Fraschini Motori, Fincantieri takes a decisive step towards the future of naval technology” – said Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and General Manager of Fincantieri. “It is a commitment that realizes our strategic vision: to drive the sustainable transformation of industry through the innovation capacity that distinguishes us and our roots in the territories. We aim to make hydrogen a concrete lever for the competitiveness and decarbonisation of the European production system, and to consolidate our role as a leader in the adoption of pioneering technologies”.
IFM technologies will be adopted in the first instance within the Group, confirming Fincantieri’s ability to be the first user of its solutions, generating added value and accelerating the path towards the energy transition.
The new production line represents a fundamental step in the industrial strategy of the Fincantieri Group, which, through Isotta Fraschini Motori, continues to invest in the development of innovative technologies, creating economic and employment value for the territory and contributing concretely to the industrial growth of Southern Italy.