Specialist vessel designer and builder Vard, the Norwegian subsidiary of the Fincantieri Group, has signed a contract for the design and construction of two multi-function buoy and lighthouse maintenance vessels for Trinity House, the General Lighthouse Authority for England, Wales, the Channel Islands and Gibraltar.
The value of the contract exceeds €220m. Awarded following a public tender, the contract forms part of Trinity House’s programme to renew its fleet of three vessels. The new units will replace THV Patricia and THV Galatea, reinforcing the organisation’s ability to deliver safe, efficient and reliable aids-to-navigation services and supporting the maintenance of critical maritime infrastructure across UK waters.
The vessels will be built based on the Vard 9 601 design, developed by Vard Marine in Canada in collaboration with Vard Design in Norway. Conceived as versatile multi-role platforms, they will combine buoy tending operations, hydrographic survey activities and emergency response capabilities, supporting Trinity House in carrying out its mission as one of the oldest and most respected maritime institutions.
Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and MD, Fincantieri, said: “The award of this contract represents an important recognition of Vard’s expertise and of Fincantieri’s industrial and technological leadership in complex shipbuilding. Supporting organisations such as Trinity House means contributing to the safety, reliability and resilience of maritime services through solutions that combine sustainability, innovation and long-term vision. This program reflects our commitment to developing the strategic capabilities that are increasingly shaping the future of the maritime sector, from the energy transition and digitalization to the security and resilience of critical systems and infrastructure.”
The vessels will feature hybrid propulsion systems and battery energy storage solutions designed to reduce fuel consumption and environmental impact, enabling zero-emission operations while alongside and supporting more efficient operations during transit and dynamic positioning. Designed with future adaptability in mind, they will be prepared for potential conversion to methanol fuel, enabling a further reduction of their environmental footprint over their operational lifetime.
In addition to their advanced environmental performance, the vessels will integrate modern digital and cybersecurity capabilities designed to support the secure and resilient operation of onboard systems, reflecting the growing importance of cyber resilience across the maritime domain. The contract includes a training partnership involving Vard, Trinity House and Vard Marine in Canada, promoting international knowledge exchange and supporting the development of maritime skills through dedicated apprentice and student programs.
The vessels will be constructed using Vard’s global integrated value chain. Delivery is scheduled for 2029 from one of Vard’s yards in Norway. The contract is said to reinforce Vard’s position in the market for advanced specialised vessels and to highlight the role of the Fincantieri Group in driving innovation, sustainability and technological development across the global maritime industry.
Image: Two hybrid maintenance vessels will be built by Vard for Trinity House (source: Fincantieri Group)
