Relations with U.S. Navy Strengthened

The Secretary of the Navy, Hon. Donald C. Winter, Visits Muggiano and Riva
Trigoso Shipyards

MUGGIANO (La Spezia), Italy, Aug. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- The Secretary of the
Navy (SECNAV) arrived today in Liguria for a two-day visit of Fincantieri's
shipyards in Muggiano (La Spezia) and Riva Trigoso (Genoa). Hon. Winter wanted
this opportunity with a view to visiting the production facilities of the
Naval Vessels Business Unit and becoming familiar with the general
organization of the Company, its production strategies and its market. The
details and prospects of the recently agreed purchase by Fincantieri of the
U.S. shipyards in Manitowoc Marine Group were also discussed.
As Secretary of the Navy, Hon. Winter is responsible for conducting all
the affairs of the Department of the Navy related to the U.S. Navy and the
Marine Corp. He oversees recruiting, organizing, supplying, equipping,
training, mobilizing, and demobilizing in addition to the construction,
outfitting and repair of naval vessels, equipment and facilities.
Besides visiting the production facilities in Muggiano shipyard Hon.
Winter also went on board the aircraft carrier, the Cavour, the forthcoming
flagship of the Italian fleet, and the destroyer, the Caio Duilio, built
within the framework of the Italian-French programme of cooperation
"Orizzonte". Hon. Winter was received on board the vessels by the Chief of
Staff of the Italian Navy, Admiral Paolo La Rosa, and the General Director of
Naval Arms, Admiral Dino Nascetti.
Tomorrow the American delegation is scheduled to visit Riva Trigoso
shipyard where its specific features will be illustrated.
About Fincantieri - Cantieri Navali Italiani S.p.A.
Fincantieri is one of the largest shipbuilders in the world, designing,
building and marketing many types of vessels, including cruise ships, ferries,
naval vessels, offshore units and mega yachts. The company, with a production
network of 9 shipyards, 8 of which are in Italy, has approximately 10,000
employees. 2007 revenues were more than euro 2.7 billion (in excess of USD 4
billion) with an EBITDA of 7.1%. The company's order book at year end stood at
a record level of euro 12 billion, comprising a total of 49 ships, 23 for its
Cruise, Ferry and Refitting Business Unit, 24 for its Naval Business Unit
(including offshore supply vessels) and 2 Mega Yachts.
Fincantieri has extensive experience in the naval sector, acting as prime
contractor for the design, construction and logistics support for almost all
types of non-nuclear naval surface vessels and submarines, including the
aircraft carrier "Cavour," the flagship of the Italian Navy, completely
designed and built by Fincantieri. With 39 naval vessels delivered since 1990
and 17 on order, Fincantieri has specialized over the years in mid-sized
ships, characterized by the highest quality construction standards and state
of the art technical solutions achieved through the sharing of best practices
and technologies between its different businesses. Fincantieri has
participated in some of the most important recent international naval programs
(for example the Italian-French FREMM project and the U212-A submarine program
between Italy and Germany).
Furthermore, Fincantieri is the worldwide leader in building cruise ships
and ferries, with an impressive track record of 82 cruise ships and ferries
delivered over the last 18 years and 19 vessels on order.
Recently Fincantieri strengthened its position in the ship repair and
conversion sector and entered the mega yacht segment with the first two orders
for ships over 70 meters.
SOURCE Fincantieri - Cantieri Navali Italiani S.p.A.

Joelle Cooper of Fincantieri Marine Systems North America Inc.,
+1-757-548-6000, Mobile: +1-757-472-9040, jcooper@fmsna.com, or Fincantieri,
press.office@fincantieri.it, or Antonio Autorino, +39 040 3192473, Mobile: +39
335 7859027, antonio.autorino@fincantieri.it