On October 09, 2024, Italian shipbuilder T. Mariotti celebrated the launch of the Olterra vessel, the first unit of the SDO–SuRS (Special and Diving Operations – Submarine Rescue Ship) program, destined for the Italian Navy.
T.Mariotti press release – Translated by Naval News
The event, held at the Genoa shipyard, marked a key milestone in the ship’s construction and in the shipyard’s history, marking the first military project undertaken by T. Mariotti. The new vessel bears the name “Olterra” and the motto “Per Atra Aequora Fulgor,” a reference to the light that guides innovation even in the most unexplored depths of the sea.
The ceremony was attended by representatives of the Navy, national and local institutions, including the Governor of Liguria Marco Bucci and the Mayor of Genoa Silvia Salis, together with the management of T. Mariotti and the Genova Industrie Navali (GIN) group.
For the occasion, the shipyard premises were transformed into a ceremonial procession, encompassing facilities, people, and docks. A marquee set up on a barge hosted the official ceremony, while representatives of the Italian Navy, the shipyard, and the shipyard workers lined the quayside, testifying to the collaborative effort that made the ship’s construction possible. On Olterra‘s aft deck, the Genoese shipyard staff participated in the launch, symbolically united with their own achievement. The decision to hold the event overlooking the water, with the ship already in its final form and moored at the dock, allowed the ship to be admired in all its grandeur. As the sun set, a moving video was projected onto Olterra‘s side, brought to life by evocative video mapping, marking the conclusion of the ceremony in an atmosphere of great visual and emotional impact. The evening concluded with a gala dinner and concert, which brought together guests, institutions, and construction site staff in a moment of shared pride.
The Olterra vessel is a disruptive project for the underwater domain, the set of technologies and operational capabilities related to underwater and submarine activities that today represent a strategic frontier for security and defense. The result of the collaboration between T. Mariotti and a national industrial ecosystem of excellence, the vessel is designed to rescue submarines in distress, support special underwater operations, and protect critical underwater infrastructure in the Mediterranean and beyond.
Measuring 128 meters long and 24 meters wide, the new vessel features an integrated electric propulsion system (IFEP) and a latest-generation DP3 dynamic positioning system, enabling it to operate with maximum precision even in adverse weather and sea conditions. The vessel will accommodate up to 200 crew members and COMSUBIN operators, ensuring continuous and modular operational capabilities in a variety of scenarios. Due to its construction complexity and operational characteristics, Olterra is a unique vessel, consistent with the ongoing expansion of the Italian Navy’s underwater fleet, but also capable of operating in dual-use contexts, providing underwater operations for other administrations and agencies for the surveillance and protection of the country’s underwater infrastructure.
Laid down in April 2023 and transferred to Genoa in September 2024 for final fitting out, OLTERRA will now continue the integration and testing phases, with delivery scheduled for 2027.
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Enjoy Naval News‘s coverage of Olterra vessel at Sea Future 2025 exhibition in Italy.
