Skipsteknisk, the renowned Norwegian ship design firm, has been awarded a contract by T. Mariotti Shipyard to design a state-of-the-art oceanographic research vessel for Italy’s Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA). Based on Skipsteknisk’s proven ST-368 design, new vessel to be named “Arcadia” will be tailored to support multidisciplinary research, including oceanography, fisheries studies, ROV operations, and seabed mapping across the Mediterranean Sea
The vessel is designed and built to the highest standards for modern research ships including underwater noise reduction, dynamic positioning, hybrid propulsion and environment protection.
The €107 million project was awarded to T. Mariotti S.p.A. – Shipyard following the tender process issued by Invitalia on behalf of ISPRA.
“The construction of this vessel represents an important step for our shipyard,” stated Marco Ghiglione, Managing Director of T. Mariotti. “Entering the oceanographic vessel sector allows us to broaden our expertise and consolidate our role in the marine research and environmental protection sector. The underwater world is considered one of the key businesses of the future, and this vessel will be a prestigious reference for us.”
The vessel is part of the MER (Marine Ecosystem Restoration) project, the largest environmental investment under the Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), with funding of €400 million. It is a major program implemented by ISPRA under the guidance of the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security, aimed at mapping and restoring underwater ecosystems—often invisible, but crucial for climate regulation, biodiversity, and the economy.
The ship is a state-of-the-art floating laboratory, designed to study, monitor, and protect the marine ecosystems of the Mediterranean Sea. Its main goal is to collect data, build scientific knowledge, and guide environmental policies toward a more sustainable future.
The oceanographic research vessel “Arcadia” will be equipped with some of the most advanced underwater technologies currently available in Europe, including a specially designed hull component called a “gondola,” about 9 meters long, which houses numerous next-generation sensors and acoustic systems. This setup will allow for continuous, high-quality data collection even under extreme operating conditions.
Also on board is a ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) capable of operating at depths of up to 4,000 meters. It features 4K cameras, sonar, and 3D laser technology, enabling scientific missions in extreme environments such as geological explorations, biological surveys, and underwater infrastructure inspections. In addition, the ship carries an AUV (Autonomous Underwater Vehicle), which can conduct independent missions lasting over 60 hours and reaching depths of up to 3,000 meters.
The vessel will also be equipped with two auxiliary boats for coastal mapping: an electric catamaran with an unmanned surface vehicle (ASV) for mapping shallow, protected, and enclosed waters, and a secondary boat outfitted with sensors suitable for geophysical exploration.
