MILAN — Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri is exploring the potential of designing nuclear-powered vessels, CEO Pierroberto Folgiero said, a move that comes as the Italian military studies the possibility of developing its first nuclear-powered naval forces.
The CEO discussed nuclear propulsion during his meeting with the European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport Apostolos Tzitzikostas in Brussels on Tuesday.
“We talked about nuclear propulsion at sea, something Fincantieri is engaging a lot in – there’s nothing right around the corner, but we’ve been studying the technology, including third- and fourth-generation reactors,” Folgiero told reporters during a closed-door roundtable on the same day.
He added that the company is currently seeking partnerships not only for the reactor itself but also for the rest of the value chain and other components.
Nuclear propulsion provides naval vessels with extended endurance and eliminates the need for refueling during long-range deployments. However, building, operating and maintaining the technology is extremely expensive and requires highly specialized personnel.
