Isotta Fraschini Motori (IFM), a Fincantieri subsidiary specialized in advanced fuel cell technologies and a historic symbol of Made in Italy excellence, has inaugurated a new production line at its Bari facility dedicated to the development and testing of hydrogen fuel cell systems.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Nicola Bonasia, Mayor of Modugno, Antonio Decaro, Chair of the ENVI Committee of the European Parliament, along with official representatives of the President of the Puglia Region, the Mayor of Bari, and the Chief of Staff of the Italian Navy. Fincantieri was represented by Chairman Biagio Mazzotta, CEO and General Manager Pierroberto Folgiero, and the Chairman and CEO of Isotta Fraschini Motori, Sergio Razeto and Andrea Bochicchio.
The new production line represents a strategic investment that strengthens the role of Isotta Fraschini Motori and the Fincantieri Group in technological innovation for the energy transition, with applications in both the civil and defense sectors. The systems developed will be intended for naval and land-based solutions, contributing to the decarbonization of transport and industry.
Among the first applications is IFM’s marinized fuel cell module, which will be installed on board the Viking Libra, the world’s first cruise ship powered by onboard-stored hydrogen, used both for propulsion and electricity generation. This is a concrete example of Fincantieri’s ability to be the first adopter of its own solutions, implementing a vertically integrated model that accelerates the introduction of zero-emission technologies and strengthens industrial leadership in the ecological transition.
As part of the Innovation and Development Center (CIS) launched in 2023 with the support of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) for Puglia, the new line is part of the transformation of the Bari site into a Cutting-edge Technology Hub oriented toward Net Zero. As part of an integrated industrial ecosystem, Isotta Fraschini Motori is investing approximately €30 million over five years—partly financed through IPCEI funds—with the aim of developing innovative zero-emission systems and significantly reducing its carbon footprint, including through energy recovery from the production process.
Today’s inauguration is part of Fincantieri Group’s broader commitment to sustainable innovation through strategic projects such as Wave 2 the Future, part of the Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI) “Hy2Tech” on hydrogen. The goal is to develop enabling technologies for the use of hydrogen in the maritime sector, promoting the transition to decarbonized mobility and contributing to the creation of a competitive European industrial ecosystem.
“With the inauguration of the new fuel cell production line at Isotta Fraschini Motori, Fincantieri is taking a decisive step toward the future of naval technology,” said Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and General Manager of Fincantieri. “This is a commitment that brings our strategic vision to life: to lead the sustainable transformation of the industry through our distinctive innovation capability and strong local presence. We aim to make hydrogen a tangible lever for the competitiveness and decarbonization of the European production system, consolidating our role as a leader in the adoption of pioneering technologies.”
IFM technologies will initially be adopted within the Group itself, confirming Fincantieri’s ability to act as first user of its own solutions, generating added value and accelerating the energy transition process.
The new production line marks a key milestone in Fincantieri Group’s industrial strategy, which—through Isotta Fraschini Motori—continues to invest in the development of innovative technologies, generating economic and employment value for the region and making a concrete contribution to the industrial growth of Southern Italy.
Photo of Isotta Fraschini Motori
Press release https://tinyurl.com/2pdav4k6
