Mama Vessel Prototype to be co-funded by EU

Port of Venice and Rimorchiatori Riuniti Panfido, Italy, have been granted EUR 9.7 million by the European Union as co-funding for the construction of the innovative Mama Vessel.

The prototype is a semi-submersible ship designed by BMT Titron, England, to link the planned Offshore – Onshore Venice port system.

The Semi Submersible Barge Transporter is a part of the Poseidon Med II project. The funds by the EU will cover the last steps in the design and construction of the Mama Vessel. The design of the vessel is expected to be ready in September 2016 and the first vessel is scheduled to be completed by July 2017.

Having been designed with low wash hull, these vessels will be able to withstand heavy seas while minimising the wave impact to the Venice Lagoon sensitive habitats. Given that the vessels will be driven by LNG, they will significantly reduce the emissions of CO2 in the port.