Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has reached an agreement to acquire controlling stakes in four companies involved in underwater technologies: Next Geosolutions, WSense, Graal Tech and Defcomm. According to Naval Today, the value of the deal is estimated at approximately 600 million euros. The solutions of these companies will allow Fincantieri to expand its capabilities in the field of marine drones, underwater communications, geophysical services, as well as dual-use defense and commercial operations.
Four companies will be integrated into the Fincantieri Underwater technology Center, which will bring together a total of eight companies and act as an international operator of solutions in the underwater field.
Fincantieri Shipyard
© Mauro Carli / Adobe Stock
"As part of this strategy, Fincantieri is strengthening an industrial model that combines technological development with operational capabilities," Naval Today notes. "Fincantieri is increasingly focused on providing services and integrated end–to-end solutions."
The Italian company intends to meet the needs of customers both in the commercial market and in the defense sector.
Fincantieri CEO Pier-Roberto Folgero stated that these acquisitions represent a historic transformation for the company, which will result in an international player in the underwater sector by integrating the technologies, capabilities and expertise of all participants. He added that the deals will accelerate the implementation of the company's business plan.
Next Geosolutions Europe was founded in 2014 as a joint initiative of a group of Italian entrepreneurs and the Marnavi shipping company. The company operates in the sectors of marine renewable energy, offshore oil and gas industry and underwater cable networks.
NextGeo's solutions cover the entire life cycle of underwater projects, from marine research and geological surveys to construction and installation of structures, inspection, maintenance and repair, and subsequently decommissioning.
WSense is a high–tech company established as a subsidiary of Sapienza University of Rome. The company specializes in underwater monitoring and communication systems, including both hardware and software that supports the Internet of Underwater Things (IoUT). WSense adaptive wireless underwater modems provide secure distributed networks, allowing real-time data transfer between underwater devices even in difficult marine conditions, with cost-effective scalability over large areas.
WSense and Fincantieri are already cooperating under a Memorandum of Understanding signed in December 2023. The companies jointly participate in numerous national and international tenders.
Graal Tech is a fast–growing company established as a subsidiary of the University of Genoa. Specializes in the design and development of modular and customizable underwater robotic vehicles (AUV/ROV), as well as the development of small and medium-sized unmanned vehicles and related physical and digital auxiliary systems.
Defcomm is an Italian startup engaged in the design and manufacture of unmanned surface vehicles with advanced autonomous navigation capabilities that have already been tested in various operating conditions.
