TIRANA, February 25 – Defense Minister Pirro Vengu announced that Albania finalized negotiations with Fincantieri for the production of warships. He said the agreement will be submitted to the Albanian Parliament in the coming days.

Vengu noted that negotiations lasted over a year and a half. He emphasized the achievement for the Albanian naval force and acknowledged KAYO company, which under the deputy minister’s leadership advanced the talks.

On November 14, 2025, during the Italy-Albania intergovernmental meeting in Rome, Pierroberto Folgiero, Fincantieri’s CEO and general manager, and Ardi Veliu, KAYO’s executive director, signed the agreement.

The deal establishes a partnership that will serve as the main contractor for shipbuilding and maintenance contracts for the Albanian market. For projects abroad, the collaboration can produce vessels up to 80 meters in length and 800 tons in load capacity.

Fincantieri will lead as the primary contractor, providing operational expertise, training, engineering know-how, and material packages. Meanwhile, KAYO will provide the Pashaliman naval shipyard in Vlora and invest in modernizing its infrastructure. This partnership consolidates Fincantieri’s role as Albania’s main technological partner for shipbuilding projects.

/a.p./