Italy seeks new research vessels
The Italian Navy wants to replace its hydrographic research vessel Ammiraglio Magnaghi. (Photo: Italian Navy)
The Italian Navy is inviting industry bids for feasibility and design studies in a programme for new hydrographic and oceanographic research vessels.
The Directorate for Naval Armaments (NAVARM) in the Italian MoD has issued a tender for research studies into the potential procurement of three hydrographic research vessels.
Bids are due by 28 June, according to a notice on the official EU tenders database.
NAVARM intends to issue a risk-reduction contract in two lots: one for a feasibility study worth an estimated €1.45 million ($1.78 million) and the other for project definition (€1.35 million) with a basic design including platform systems, sensors and communications.
The project envisages the construction of three vessels (one large and two smaller ships) tasked with hydrographic dual-use research activities for the Italian Navy Hydrographic Office in Genoa.
The large vessel (NIOM) will perform hydrographic activities in oceans and is meant to operate widely, including in the Arctic. NIOM replaces the 1,744t hydrographic research vessel Ammiraglio Magnaghi.
The two smaller vessels (NIOC1 and NIOC2) will operate closer to home in the Mediterranean.
Financial backing for the €444 million programme will come from the European Investment Bank, which in July 2020 proposed €220 million support for construction costs until 2027.
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