La Spezia – The Marina Militare is preparing to welcome its new and highly modern naval vessel. To make room for Nave Olterra, scheduled for delivery in 2027, the Defense has ordered the functional reorganization of Area 39, located within the base of the Arsenale di La Spezia.
The overall investment for upgrading and optimizing the yard is just under 2 million euros.The project's technical report bears the signature of engineer Davide Giannarelli.
Technical Specifications and Details of Nave Olterra
Classified as SDO-SURS (Special and Diving Operations - Submarine Rescue Ship), Nave Olterra is one of the most advanced naval platforms in the European maritime and underwater sector.
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Dimensions and Capacity: A length of 128 meters, a beam of 24 meters, and a full-load displacement of approximately 12,000 tons.It is designed to accommodate up to 200 personnel, including crew, embarked personnel, and special forces operators.
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Performance and Propulsion: Equipped with a latest-generation electric propulsion system and advanced dynamic positioning capabilities, essential for accurately positioning itself directly above a disabled submarine requiring assistance on the seabed.
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Underwater Systems and Rescue: It integrates hyperbaric systems for saturation diving to depths of 300 meters, as well as autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), tethered drones, and latest-generation sonar systems.
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Mission Versatility: Modular design technology allows the ship to be reconfigured according to the assigned mission, serving as a command-and-control center, laboratory, and support platform for divers and incursori del Varignano.
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Construction and Sustainability: Launched in Genoa in October 2025 at Cantieri Mariotti (Gruppo Genova Industrie Navali), it is the first vessel of its kind built by Genoese shipyards for the Marina Militare, standing out as an example of national sustainability and technological excellence.
The entry into service of Nave Olterra will mark the gradual retirement of Nave Anteo, the Navy's historic support and rescue vessel, in service since the 1980s and the protagonist of hundreds of recovery operations and missions.
Work in Arsenal Area 39
The infrastructure project in Area 39 will enable the redevelopment and repurposing of a 7,200-square-meter area currently in a state of partial abandonment:
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Storage and Handling: The area will house the ship's modular equipment and will be served by two overhead-crane rails.
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Surface Improvements: Invasive vegetation will be cleared, and new walkable reinforced-concrete paving will be installed.
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Infrastructure and Utilities: Existing underground network, electrical, and water connections will be integrated and optimized.No deep excavation, first-flush water treatment, or wartime ordnance clearance operations are planned.
A Name Steeped in History
The name Olterra pays tribute to the historic merchant vessel that, during the Second World War, was kept secret and used as a hidden logistics base in Algeciras Bay by Regia Marina raiders.Aboard the Olterra, the slow-running torpedoes (the so-called "pigs") used in raids against the British fleet at Gibraltar were housed and maintained.
As emphasized by the Ministry of Defense, Nave Olterra will decisively strengthen Italy's ability to ensure underwater security in the Mediterranean, consolidating the outstanding partnership between Defense and the national shipbuilding industry.
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