01. February 2016

First Steel Cutting ceremonies for LSS

The first important milestone in the OCCAR Logistic Support Ship (LSS) Programme was successfully achieved in February with the first steel cutting. The LSS Programme includes the Development, Production and ten years of In Service Support for the first ship of the Italian Navy fleet renewal plan, with delivery foreseen in 2019.

The event incorporated two ceremonies that took place at FINCANTIERI’s shipyards, respectively in Riva Trigoso (Genova) on the 9th February and in Castellammare di Stabia (Napoli) on the 16th February.
In fact, following the decision to build ship`s hull in two different sections, the workload was shared between the two sites. The fore section, 94m long and weighing about 4,000t, will be built in Castellammare di Stabia while the aft section, 86m long and with an approximate weight of 7,000t, will be built in Riva Trigoso. The two sections will then be assembled in FINCANTIERI’s shipyard in Muggiano (La Spezia).

First steel cutting

The Logistic Support Ship, specifically designed to operate in multiple scenarios, is characterised by a high level of flexibility and will be capable of supporting a naval Joint Task Force, to conduct disaster relief operations, to provide medical support (NATO Role 2 LM) and to transport naval and aviation fuel, fresh water, ammunitions, lubricants, food, spare parts and 20ft ISO containers.

The Programme was integrated into OCCAR in May 2015 and is managed by the LSS Programme Division located in La Spezia.

Ceremony in Riva Trigoso:
(Navy) Captain Giuseppe Sica (Italian Navy Technical Office Genoa Director), Mr Gianandrea Buldrini (OCCAR-EA LSS Programme Manager), Mr Stefano Orlando (FINCANTIERI Muggiano-Riva Trigoso Integrated Shipyard Director)

Ceremony in Castellamare di Stabia :
Mr Gilberto Tobaldi (FINCANTIERI Castellamare di Stabia Shipyard Director), Mr Gianandrea Buldrini (OCCAR-EA LSS Programme Manager)