Fincantieri, a global leader in complex shipbuilding, is rapidly transforming its shipbuilding through the integration of advanced robotics, physical artificial intelligence, and next-generation automation systems. These initiatives are aimed at enhancing the efficiency, safety, and competitiveness of production processes.
Introduction to the BOOST² Program
The BOOST² program – the shipbuilding of the future, is an industrial innovation program launched three years ago by the group to identify, develop, and integrate new technologies into production processes. This program includes an investment of nearly $100 million in its global network during the 2026-2030 industrial program period.
This initiative involves over 450 Fincantieri employees across 13 shipyards worldwide, including Fincantieri Marinette Marine and the Wisconsin shipbuilding system, ensuring that shipbuilding operational needs are prioritized.
Innovation and Implementation Challenges
Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and Executive Director of Fincantieri, stated: "The next frontier of industrial competition is the integration of artificial intelligence with the physical world and robotics. Through BOOST², we have laid the foundations for integrating new technologies into our processes and have introduced the first solutions in our shipyards. The challenge now is to accelerate industrial implementation and their adoption, turning innovation into greater productivity, safety, and quality. Our goal is to build the shipbuilding of the future where humans and smart technologies work together, reinforcing Fincantieri's industrial and technological leadership."
Physical artificial intelligence is at the heart of this program. This technology allows intelligent systems to interact with the physical world, and collaborative robotics is provided with applications designed to assist humans in performing the most complex tasks. These technologies are complemented by Digital Twin solutions for digital asset and shipbuilding process management, smart supply chain systems, additive manufacturing, and automated solutions for industrial equipment.
The aim is to gradually integrate these technologies into operational flows and strengthen the connection between design, planning, and production.
In parallel, Fincantieri is working to expand its connections with leading innovation ecosystems through initiatives such as a dual hackathon set to take place in Silicon Valley. This hackathon, the latest in a series of events, focuses on identifying and accelerating the adoption of promising technologies for the shipbuilding of the future.
The initial phase of the BOOST² program focused on identifying and testing technologies. This new phase, presented this week at the Castellammare di Stabia shipyard in Italy, aims to accelerate the transition from innovation to industrial implementation, supporting the adoption of new solutions in daily operations and their execution in the group’s shipyards.
Collaboration with the global innovation ecosystem plays a key role in this process. Fincantieri, through its open innovation strategy, identifies and selects technology partners in Italy and internationally, including small companies and startups, to develop and customize solutions for the specific needs of the shipbuilding industry. Direct involvement of individuals and production teams helps accelerate field testing, facilitate adoption, and ensure the scalability and repeatability of technologies in various production environments.
Through BOOST², Fincantieri continues its transformative journey, focusing on strengthening the introduced solutions, accelerating implementation, and maturing new programs. This transformation combines investment, collaboration with technology partners, and direct involvement of shipyards, aimed at turning innovation into a structural engine for the group's competitiveness.
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