Fincantieri has been honoured at the Italian Hydrogen Technology Awards 2026, presented during the Hydrogen Expo held in Piacenza, for the IPCEI Wave 2 “The Future” project. The jury recognised the pioneering nature of the initiative, which marks a significant step forward in the decarbonisation of the maritime sector, in line with the Group’s ambitious target of reaching net-zero by 2035.
The project develops advanced hydrogen-based propulsion systems and hybrid solutions: from internal combustion engines running on hydrogen to PEM fuel cells paired with lithium batteries, through to next-generation energy management systems, onboard hydrogen storage solutions and the integration of PEM and SOFC cells. A technological scope that places the Group at the forefront of the energy transition in naval shipbuilding.
Among the most significant applications is Viking Libra, the world’s first cruise ship to integrate a containerised hydrogen-powered system, scheduled for delivery by the end of the year. On board, hydrogen powers 6 MW PEM fuel cells developed by Isotta Fraschini Motori, a company of the Fincantieri Group, optimised for the cruise sector. It is precisely at Isotta Fraschini’s facility in Bari that Control Sistem designed and built the 3 MW test room dedicated to the validation of these fuel cell systems, integrating automation, energy management and safety logics for the use of hydrogen.
The award confirms the value of an entirely Italian technology supply chain, in which Control Sistem plays an active role as a partner for test infrastructures. The facilities built in Bari are the link that brings these technologies from research to industrial application, enabling their testing and qualification before deployment on board.
A result that strengthens Control Sistem’s commitment to the development of advanced, sustainable energy solutions and its concrete contribution to the transition towards low-emission naval mobility.
