ARDITI’s new research vessel enters testing phase following completion of construction.

ARDITI’s new research vessel—funded by the C10-i06 RAM “Ocean Technologies” investment under the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR)—completed construction on August 28, 2026; compliance testing will now begin, leading up to final delivery and acceptance.

“Resulting from the international public tender No. CPI 01/ARDITI/2024, the contract to acquire a multipurpose research vessel—featuring a platform equipped with scientific sensors—for the Autonomous Region of Madeira was awarded on March 11, 2025, for the sum of €13,950,000.00 plus VAT,” stated a press release issued today by ARDITI. The release added that “vessel construction was completed within the timeframe stipulated by the C10-i06 RAM ‘Ocean Technologies’ investment (PRR), as attested by the ‘Vessel Construction Acceptance Certificate’ signed on August 28, 2026, by ARDITI (Regional Agency for the Development of Research, Technology and Innovation) and the French consortium comprising EXAIL SAS and CHANTIER NAVAL GLEHEN SAS.”

ARDITI reveals that it “has been closely monitoring the execution of the contract through inspection visits to the shipyard where the vessel is being built, with the aim of overseeing the progress of the work and verifying technical compliance.”

Designed by MAURIC, the vessel will serve as a true floating laboratory, enhancing ARDITI’s capacity to conduct monitoring and scientific research activities within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Autonomous Region of Madeira.

“The entry into service of the vessel—featuring a platform equipped with scientific sensors capable of collecting acoustic data in the open ocean and around the RAM archipelago—will enable support for new scientific projects, deepen understanding of marine ecosystems, and facilitate the use of advanced scientific technology in seagoing missions,” the press release adds.