Castellammare di Stabia, Italy, 19 December 2025 — In the
presence of civil and military authorities, OCCAR marked a major milestone with
the official delivery of ITS ATLANTE, the second unit of the Logistic Support
Ship (LSS) Programme, to the Italian Navy.
The ceremony held at the Castellammare di Stabia Shipyard
(Naples) was attended byVice Admiral Vincenzo Montanaro representing the Chief
of the Italian Navy, the Director of the Italian Naval Armaments Directorate
Vice Admiral Giuseppe Abbamonte, and the OCCAR-EA Director, Joachim Sucker The
industrial sector was represented by Eng. Biagio Mazzotta, President of
Fincantieri, and Eng. Andrea Mattozzi from Leonardo, who together with the
temporary consortium, entrusted with the vessel's development, production, and
In-Service Support (ISS).
“This is not just a delivery; it is a symbol of cooperation,
commitment, and industrial excellence,” OCCAR Director, Joachim Sucker stated
during his address. The LSS Programme, born out of Italian-French cooperation,
foresees the delivery of six advanced vessels designed to strengthen
operational flexibility and logistical support across Europe’s naval forces.
ITS ATLANTE belongs to a new generation of double-hull
support ships, fully compliant with the latest environmental regulations and
conceived to replace the Navy’s aging tanker fleet. These ships are fully
interoperable with NATO and partner navies, ensuring seamless integration in
multinational operations. Their versatility makes them a cornerstone of future
naval missions: they can provide logistical support to other ships by
transporting and delivering fuel, fresh water, ammunition, food, and spare
parts; they can serve as command-and-control platforms for international naval
forces; they can support force projection for all classes of NATO-standard
vessels; and they can offer medical assistance thanks to an onboard hospital
facility. This flexibility allows them to adapt to a wide range of scenarios,
from humanitarian operations to high-intensity deployments.
What makes ITS ATLANTE exceptional is its birthplace: the Castellammare
di Stabia Shipyard, one of Italy’s oldest and most prestigious industrial hubs.
After years away from full military outfitting, the shipyard has reclaimed its
historic role, combining tradition with cutting-edge technology. “Just as
Amerigo Vespucci became an icon of elegance and heritage, ITS ATLANTE
represents a new chapter in military shipbuilding,” the OCCAR-EA Director noted.
The achievement is underscored by efficiency: ITS ATLANTE
was completed four months ahead of the first unit, ITS Vulcano, proving the
maturity of the industrial and organisational system. All sea trials, conducted
in the Gulf of Naples with Italian Navy assets, confirmed the vessel’s
compliance and readiness. This success reflects a virtuous synergy between
highly skilled workers, advanced engineering, and organisational capability. Behind
this success lies teamwork. OCCAR enhanced the synergy between the Italian Navy
and industry partners Fincantieri and Leonardo.
From early 2026, ITS ATLANTE will join the fleet with full
operational capability, strengthening national and European security.