Vard lands €220m Trinity House vessel contract

Trinity House has awarded Vard, the Norwegian unit of Fincantieri, a contract worth over €220 million to design and build two multi-function buoy and lighthouse maintenance vessels, replacing the ageing THV Patricia and THV Galatea as part of a fleet renewal program. The ships will be based on Vard’s 9 601 design and will support aids to navigation, hydrographic surveys, and emergency response across UK waters. They will feature hybrid propulsion, battery energy storage, and modern digital and cybersecurity capabilities, with preparations for potential conversion to methanol power. The project will also include a training partnership between Vard, Trinity House, and Vard Marine to enhance maritime apprenticeships. Deliveries are planned for 2029, reflecting Vard’s global industrial model and UK-content commitments. Trinity House oversees navigational aids for England, Wales, the Channel Islands, and Gibraltar, funding its operations largely through light dues on shipping.