21. April 2018

Logistic Support Ship (LSS) Aft and Mid Sections Launched in Riva Trigoso

Aft and mid sections of the Italian Navy’s new Logistic Support Ship (LSS), named Vulcano, were launched on 21st April at the FINCANTIERI integrated shipyard in Riva Trigoso (Genoa).

Aft- and Mid-sections ready for launch

The ceremony took place in the presence of several military and industrial representatives. Among them were the Chief of the Italian Naval Directorate, Admiral Matteo Bisceglia, the Chief of the Ship Department of the Italian Navy General Staff, Admiral Pasquale De Candia, the Executive Vice President of Naval Vessels business Unit of FINCANTIERI, Eng. Angelo Fusco and the Director of the Muggiano and Riva Trigoso Integrated Shipyard of FINCANTIERI, Eng. Luca Maggiolo.

Eng. Angelo Fusco, Adm Matteo Bisceglia and Eng. Luca Maggiolo

The construction of the ship started in February 2016; at the beginning of the Programme the hull and the superstructures were built in three sections. The Fore section was built by FINCANTIERI shipbuilding group at Castellammare di Stabia (near Naples) while the Aft and Mid sections were built at the Riva Trigoso shipyard (near Genoa).

After the launch the Aft and Mid sections were transferred to Muggiano shipyard’s floating dock, where the Fore section has been waiting for the final assembly. The convoy reached La Spezia in the early morning of the 22nd April.

Aft- and Mid-sections on 'Atlante' barge in the Gulf of La Spezia

The new ship will be completed for a planned launch in June 2018. After outfitting, the first sea-going of the platform will take place in December 2018, the first sea acceptance trial of the combat system (produced by LEONARDO) is foreseen in 2019 and the delivery is scheduled in September 2019.

LSS is designed to operate in multiple scenarios and is characterised by a high level of flexibility, from providing support to naval joint task forces, to the conduct of Humanitarian and Disaster Relief (HADR) and civil protection missions.