Following the launch of its Security & Defence (S&D) Division in 2016, Italian boatbuilder Ferretti has announced two new partnerships to grow this activity. The news was announced at the IDEX-NAVDEX Exhibition in Abu Dhabi, one of the most important global exhibitions of the naval defence and maritime security sector.

The first of the new partnerships is with fellow Italian superyacht-builder Fincantieri. The Italian firm is one of the world’s largest shipbuilding groups and one with a significant involvement in naval and security craft construction.

Ferretti and Fincantieri signed a co-operation agreement during the show that covers a wide range of activities, with the aim of developing industrial and commercial synergies between the two.

“The agreement relates to the security and defence sector and to the recreational yachting industry. In both areas, the two companies have complementary capabilities and expertise that can lead to significant synergies,” reads a joint statement by the two Italian companies.

Commenting on the partnership, Fincantieri CEO Giuseppe Bono says: “We are very pleased to work together with Ferretti Group because Fincantieri, even though it is continuing its internationalisation path, does not forget its Italian roots and is keen to network into a system with all the Italian companies that believe to be able to grow together and contribute to their international expansion.

“In fact, we strongly believe that this agreement – and its future activities – will have significant effects on Italy’s economy, demonstrating once again that the entire ‘country system’ must be the driver for Italy’s future growth.”

Ferretti CEO Alberto Galassi adds: “Ferretti is a rapidly evolving and growing group. The collaboration agreement with a global leader such as Fincantieri represents a recognition and confirmation of our strategy both in the recreational yachting industry and in the security and defence sector.

“We are certain that we will be able to develop important synergies that will bring benefits not only to both organisations, but especially to the customers, which are particularly keen on product innovation, reliability of supply and ever more demanding to receive outstanding service level.”

Fast patrol vessels

The second partnership is with Siham Alkhaleej Technology LLC, a leading provider to the UAE armed forces. In the future, Ferretti will help implement its strategy in this particularly important geographic area for the security and defence sector.

At NAVDEX 2017, Ferretti S&D debuted the 20m (66ft) FSD195 fast patrol vessel. The builder says this is a naval product for both military and paramilitary applications. With a range of over 500 miles, FSD195 is capable of average speeds of over 50 knots, Ferretti says.

 

The new FSD195 was outfitted at Ferretti’s Cattolica shipyard near Rimini and launched last August.

 

The patrol boats marketed by Ferretti S&D range in size from 15m-35m (49ft-115ft) and are based on Pershing hulls.