Naval News – Decommissioning of ITS ZEFFIRO F 577 – 05.10.2023

Last Thursday 5th October @ 1830hrs the Marina Militare Italiana (Italian Navy) Maestrale Class Frigate ITS ZEFFIRO F 577 was decommissioned after 38 years of service at Mar Grande Naval Station of Taranto, with 21 gun salute. Moored at Augusta Navy Base back to 27th April, 2019. Launched on 19th May 1984 built by Fincantieri […]

Naval News – 2021 commissioned ITS VULCANO at Sicily – 31.07.2023

The Italian Navy replacement for the Stromboli Class replenishment oiler (AOR) along with her current being build sistership, the ITS VULCANO A 5335 was spotted anchored at Augusta, Sicily. ITS VULCANO was built by Fincantieri with yard number 6259. The stern section was built at the Riva Trigoso Naval Shipyard while her bow  section was […]

Naval News – Aircraft Carrier ITS CAVOUR C 550 at Catania – May 2018

The Italian Navy 2008 commissioned aircraft carrier (Portaaerei in Italian) ITS CAVOUR C 550 entered Catania Port on Friday 11th May 2018. Upon her arrival 2 tractor tugs BELGIO (95) and FINLANDIA (96) left breakwater to assist her with maneuvering though hardly they push on her. She was laid down by Fincantieri in June 2001, and […]

Malta Naval Visits – March 2023

Thursday 2nd March  The Russian Navy Project 160 Altay Class Medium seagoing oil products tanker RFS KOLA passed 25.9 nautical miles off Valletta proceeding to East Mediterranean at 2103 hrs. This wasn’t her first passer by move but the first one for 2023. Friday 3rd March  The operated Military Sealift Command of the US Navy […]

Malta Naval Visits – February 2023

Naval Visits for the year 2023 started from February – Saturday 4th to Tuesday 7th February The First Naval Ship was the Italian Navy Gaeta Class Minehunter ITS VIAREGGIO M 5559 that entered at 0924 hrs. She was seen for the first time in Malta back to 2001 when she was only 5 years old. […]

Naval News – EUNAVFOR Operation Irini nets embargo buster – 18.07.2022

Last Monday 18th July the EUNAVFOR MED Operation IRINI found cargo in breach of the United Nations (UN) arms embargo on Libya on the ro/ro vessel VICTORY RORO after she was spotted by French Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA). She has been on the radar for a while when she delivered military vehicles to the country […]

Breaking Up – 4 Italian Navy Units loaded on YACHT EXPRESS – 19.08.2021

An Interesting operation by a semi submersible vessel done at Augusta, Sicily was the DYT Yacht transport vessel YACHT EXPRESS that loaded 4 x decommissioned Italian Navy Units for breaking up at Aliaga, Turkey. The 4 naval units were – Toti Class (1075 Type) Submarine – ITS ATTILIO BAGNOLINI S 505 commissioned on 16th June […]