Italian science institute to receive new research vessel in 2026

The Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale; ISPRA) recently unveiled images of a new research vessel it is set to acquire in 2026.

Arcadia will be built as a deep-sea exploration vessel under a €400 million (US$470 million) investment by the Italian Government through the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security.

The ISPRA vessel will serve as a floating laboratory designed to study, monitor, and protect the marine ecosystems of the Mediterranean Sea. Its main function is to collect data to help expand scientific knowledge and guide environmental policies.

Arcadia will be engineered to carry out extended oceanic missions. It will be equipped with advanced underwater technologies including a nine-metre gondola housing numerous sensors and acoustic systems. This setup will allow for continuous, high-quality data collection even under extreme operating conditions.

Onboard space will be available for an assortment of unmanned craft such as sonar- and camera-equipped remotely operated vehicles and an autonomous underwater vehicle.

The vessel will also be able to embark to small manned boats capable of deploying unmanned surface vehicles for shallow-water mapping.