Fincantieri Cantieri Navali Italiani S.p.A. (herein after referred as Fincantieri) is one of the world’s largest shipbuilding groups. World leader in the construction of cruise ships and large ferries, sectors characterised by high technology and design content, the company is also a reference builder in the military field with a full range of product types including surface vessels and submarines. Furthermore, Fincantieri is developing its activities in the business area of mega yachts. Drawing on its substantial experience as prime contractor and integrator, on its engineering capabilities and capacities and on its integrated network of specialised shipyards, supported by a vast, expert supply chain, Fincantieri sets out to be a partner to ship owners and the defence sector offering innovative, tailor-made products and providing a high service level.

Fincantieri constitutes the perfect representative for the industrial shipbuilding community in the region. In Italy, the company employs a staff of nearly 9.400 people (rising to approximately 20.000 if the supply chain is included) who are working at 8 shipyards, two design centres, one research centre and two production sites for mechanical components. The shipyards of Monfalcone, Marghera, Sestri Ponente, Ancona, Castellammare di Stabia and Palermo report to the Merchant Ships Business Unit while the shipyards of Riva Trigoso and di Muggiano report to the Naval Vessel Business Unit. In the field of Research and Development, a major share is held by CETENA, the Italian Ship Research Centre.

To Fincantieri main tasks in STARNETregio belong the collection of information on the relevant industrial community, its needs and activities as well as the provision of a regional technology demand portfolio for the Liaison Office to be established in the regions. Furthermore, Fincantieri will be actively involved in the selection of industrial organisations and associations to be involved in the International shipbuilding dissemination forum and in the elaboration of the Shared Trans-national Research Agenda and the joint Action Plan. The work will be undertaken by 3 senior engineers with more than 20 years of experience in ship design, ship production and research activities coordination.

Fincantieri is engaged in a number of successful research projects – as partner or as co-ordinator- together with European partners, with the aim of continuously improving its store of technology in the fields of design and construction. Some of the most successful projects are amongst others InterSHIP, MC WAP, Erastar, Eramar, Eranet, SHIPYAG, Shipmates, SAFEDOR and INMARE.