Italy’s shipbuilding group Fincantieri has signed a collaboration agreement with underwater technology scale-up WSense to bring Internet of Underwater Things solutions into major maritime and port infrastructure projects. The partnership, concluded through Fincantieri’s subsidiary Fincantieri Infrastructure Opere Marittime, is aimed at bringing advanced underwater communication protocols and real-time monitoring systems into port developments where both companies see strategic value. As part of the agreement, WSense technologies will be deployed across large port and maritime assets, allowing continuous collection of data on seabed and water column conditions and improving day-to-day control, safety, and reliability in transport-critical infrastructure. The collaboration places the Internet of Underwater Things in port infrastructure at the center of how ports are monitored and managed as operations become more data-driven.
The agreement provides for the use of WSense systems to monitor parameters including current intensity and direction, water quality, turbidity, biodiversity, underwater noise, and the structural stability of infrastructure elements. These capabilities allow for the creation of advanced monitoring and early-warning systems that support port activities such as dredging operations, breakwater management, and the protection of maritime structures. By enabling continuous, real-time data flows, the Internet of Underwater Things in port infrastructure is intended to enhance decision-making and improve visibility across complex underwater environments, aligning infrastructure performance with operational safety and environmental oversight requirements.
Environmental sustainability is a further pillar of the partnership, with both companies aiming to apply monitoring tools that assess the impact of port and maritime infrastructure on surrounding ecosystems. The data generated through the deployed systems is designed to support more informed and responsible design and management choices by tracking sensitive environmental indicators over time. According to Pierroberto Folgiero, chief executive officer and managing director of Fincantieri, “This partnership with WSense further strengthens our ability to integrate cutting-edge technologies into maritime infrastructure projects. The application of IoUT represents a decisive step toward safer, smarter, and more sustainable ports. Through this agreement, we reinforce a shared vision that combines innovation, environmental protection, and national competitiveness.”
The collaboration also builds on an existing relationship between the two companies. Fincantieri previously formalized its participation in an investment in WSense through a €2.5 million convertible loan, with an option to extend by an additional €2.5 million. Earlier cooperation initiated through a memorandum of understanding had already resulted in tangible outcomes, including the award of three tenders from the National Underwater Dimension Hub to develop advanced underwater communication solutions. As the partnership progresses, both companies are positioning the Internet of Underwater Things in port infrastructure as a scalable foundation for future port modernization and transport infrastructure management.
