The European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, visited the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone. The meeting addressed the need to continue strengthening the competitiveness of European shipbuilding, consolidating its leadership in high value-added vessels and recovering strategic segments in the face of Asian competition.
The dual dimension of the industry was also reiterated, being fundamental for the defense and security of the continent, with particular attention to the submarine sector and the protection of critical infrastructure. The role of innovation in the sustainable and digital transition is also fundamental, with special focus on decarbonization technologies, including long-term solutions such as hydrogen and nuclear energy, and on digital initiatives. All these topics are pillars of the future EU Maritime Industrial Strategy, planned for 2026.
The visit provided an opportunity to showcase the industrial capabilities of the Fincantieri Group, its distinctive expertise in building technologically complex ships, and its commitment to the sustainable and digital transition in the maritime sector. The Commissioner was able to learn more about the shipyard’s excellence, an international benchmark for quality, innovation, and productive efficiency.
The meeting was attended by the CEO and General Manager of Fincantieri, Pierroberto Folgiero; the General Manager of the Merchant Ships Division, Luigi Matarazzo; and Davide Cucino, Senior Vice President for EU and NATO Affairs.
The visit’s agenda included a meeting with Marine Interiors and Fincantieri Ingenium, followed by a presentation on the shipyard by the Director Cristiano Bazzara. Subsequently, the delegation visited the production areas and a ship under construction, conversing with the workers, which confirmed the fundamental role of people in the sector’s competitiveness.
Pierroberto Folgiero commented that “Hosting Commissioner Tzitzikostas at our Monfalcone shipyard is a recognition of the role that Fincantieri plays for the entire European shipbuilding industry and for the revival of the maritime economy in our continent. The visit allowed us to share our priorities: strengthening Europe’s industrial competitiveness, investing in innovation, digitalization and decarbonization, including through long-term technologies, and recovering strategic market segments.”
“These are key topics of the future EU Maritime Industrial Strategy, to which we are ready to contribute with the strength of our supply chain and our expertise,” Folgiero added.
Apostolos Tzitzikostas stated that “It was truly inspiring to visit the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone. It is impressive what our maritime industry in Europe is capable of doing, despite the challenges it faces. In the upcoming EU Maritime Industry Strategy, which I will present at the beginning of 2026, the European Commission will define actions to strengthen the sector’s competitiveness, resilience, innovation, and technological leadership.”
The Monfalcone shipyard, founded in 1908 by the Cosulich brothers, is Fincantieri’s production center for new-generation cruise ships and the largest in the Group, with a supply chain involving 600 companies in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, over 23,000 workers, and more than 40 ships delivered since 1990.
