Italian shipbuilding giant offers its naval expertise

2009/11/09

By Adrian David

KUALA LUMPUR: Italy's Fincantieri Cantieri Navali Italiani SpA, one of the world's largest shipbuilding groups active in the design and construction of naval and merchant vessels, is offering Malaysia its expertise in multi-support ships and Diciotti-class offshore patrol vessels.

Fincanteiri's representative for Southeast Asia Luca Maria Martini said the company was dedicated to providing Malaysia with the best naval expertise.

This, he said, was evident through its commitment in taking part in the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (Lima) exhibition since its inception in 1991.

"Part of our offer is to equip the Malaysian navy or coast guard (Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency) with a multi-support ship complete with a mobile hospital, given the fact that Malaysia often is involved in humanitarian operations during disasters like earthquakes, tsunamis, floods and other natural disasters," said Martini.

Fincantieri has to date built over 2,000 naval vessels for the Italian navy and navies from around the world.

"Fincantieri is able to design and build a wide range of surface ships, aircraft carriers, frigates, corvettes and patrol vessels, in addition to support ships and submarines.

"Ships are assisted throughout the course of their whole life with the provision of logistical support and post sales services as the company is able to guarantee both planning of maintenance and the execution of work of an ordinary or extraordinary nature and refitting at Fincantieri facilities or at a site chosen by the customer," said Martini.

On Fincantieri's participation at Lima '09, Martini said the exhibition had provided the company with the perfect platform to meet with naval delegates from the Asia Pa-cific.

"Lima's track record speaks for itself. The delegates that will be coming represent a great opportunity for us to present Fincantieri as a naval solutions provider."

Ficantieri will be joined by more than 300 exhibitors from around the world for Lima '09, thus cementing Lima's reputation as the premier aerospace and maritime exhibition in Asia Pacific.