Damen Shipyards Unveils Cutting-Edge Flagship for Italy’s Guardia di Finanza
On 22 September in Genova, during a ceremony attended by the Minister of Economy and Finance Daniele Franco and the Commander General of the Guardia di Finanza, Gen. C.A. Giuseppe Zafarana, the P.04 Osum, constructed according to the Damen Stan Patrol 6009 design, officially received its naval ensign. This event signified her integration into the fleet of Italy’s Guardia di Finanza, a law enforcement entity governed by the MEF, as its latest flagship.
The 60-meter vessel was crafted at the Cantiere Navale Vittoria Shipyard (CNV), located in Adria on Italy’s northern Adriatic shore, under Damen’s Technical Cooperation program. Not only is it the most substantial vessel to be utilized by the Guardia di Finanza, but the P.04 Osum is also their inaugural sustainable Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) featuring a hybrid, diesel-electric propulsion mechanism.
She arrived at the port of Genova on 16th September, concluding her initial training and operational missions conducted along Italy’s maritime boundary. She will remain docked there throughout the 62nd Genova International Boat Show.
The P.04 Osum has been officially designated as the first of the new “Bandiera” class, marked by the incorporation of advanced technological systems and eco-friendly propulsion methods. These priorities are key areas the Guardia di Finanza aims to emphasize in the coming years. The OPV is equipped with state-of-the-art navigation, communication, and identification systems, empowering her 30-member crew to effectively perform maritime law enforcement and monitor both national and European sea borders under various weather and sea conditions.
The introduction of hybrid diesel-electric propulsion, aimed at environmental preservation, ensures operational autonomy for up to 15 days and 2,000 nautical miles at a cruising pace of 18 knots. A maximum velocity of 26 knots can be reached under diverse conditions thanks to the vessel’s signature Damen Axe-bow design, which allows the hull to slice through waves with minimal resistance. Furthermore, the diesel-electric system facilitates low-emission performance at speeds of up to nine knots. This is made possible by dual 270kW reversible (PTI) electric motors connected to the drive shafts.
Additional significant capabilities include the launch and recovery of UAVs from the aft deck, along with two nine-meter RHIBs that can also be swiftly deployed for interception, rescue, and boarding operations on suspect vessels.
Besides its domestic responsibilities, the P.04 Osum, co-funded with European Community assets through the Internal Security Fund 2014-2020, will also bolster the Guardia di Finanza’s operational capabilities in EU waters and the broader Mediterranean region. Specifically, it will aid in combating illicit activities that jeopardize maritime border security in the context of international cooperation initiatives supported by the European Frontex Agency. The vessel is equipped with facilities to accommodate European officials during joint operations endorsed by the agency.
During the handover event, CNV board member Luigi Duò stated: “We take pride in outfitting the Guardia di Finanza fleet with its inaugural diesel-electric offshore patrol vessel. The P.04 Osum symbolizes a union of innovation and technology, promising significant reductions in fuel consumption and emissions while offering maximum operational versatility.“
Damen and CNV share prior experience of collaborating for the Guardia di Finanza, having constructed and delivered two Stan Patrol 5509 vessels in 2014.
Antonio Marte from Damen Shipyards remarked: “It has been gratifying to partner with CNV once more to deliver the Guardia di Finanza their flagship and most advanced vessel. The project commenced just as the second wave of COVID-19 impacted Europe, but we endeavored to ensure that the P.04 Osum was delivered punctually and to the full satisfaction of the Guardia di Finanza. We are delighted that our local build initiative has allowed us to provide such a sophisticated vessel alongside a trusted and esteemed partner.”
