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INTERMARINE (GROUP IMMSI): SECOND MINEHUNTER LAUNCHED FOR THE FINNISHNAVY  Sarzana, 26 August 2010 – The second MCMV minehunter for the Finnish Navy was launched this afternoon at the Intermarine Shipyard in Sarzana, accompanied by an impressive launching ceremony.  The launching ceremony was attended by the Commander-in-Chief of the Finnish Navy, Admiral Juha Rannikko, the Minister-Counsellor of the Finnish Embassy in Rome, Ari Maki, the Head of Division of the City of Helsinki, Hannu Hakala, and the Chief of the 1st Unit of Stamadifesa (the Italian Defence Staff), Admiral Alessandro Picchio, representing the Italian Navy.   The ceremony was also attended by Roberto Colaninno, President of the Group Immsi that controls Intermarine - Rodriquez Cantieri Navali. The minehunter was launched by Ms. Mervi Rannikko, the wife of the Commander-in-Chief of the Finnish Navy.   The “MCMV 2010 Class” vessel (52.4 m length overall, max. speed in excess of 13 knots, 34 crew members) was launched just one year after the launch of the first vessel built by Intermarine for the Finnish Navy, and is one of the most advanced minehunters in the world. It is a kind of vessel in which Intermarine is a leading company, having already built other 38 mine countermeasures vessels for the Navies of 7 different countries, including Italy, USA, Australia.   The three vessels built for the Finnish Navy, whose contract was signed in Helsinki in November 2006, are the result of a long fine-tuning and customization process aimed at suiting the project to the client’s specific needs. Just like for its sister ships, the operating capacities of the vessel launched today in Sarzana are in line with the specific requirements of the Finnish Navy, such as its capacity to navigate in ice-covered waters or the configuration of the “Mission System”, a completely innovative system when compared to other mine countermeasures vessels. Indeed, the vessel launched today has been conceived also for taking part in international missions, where the highest standards are required for communicating and interacting with other vessels cooperating within the designated tactical mission, as well as for hydrographic operations.   This new class of vessels built by Intermarine includes many innovative technological features, ranging from the use of a new kind of fiberglass for the hull to the building of superstructures by using the “vacuum infusion” technique. The latter has allowed for an increase in the mechanical properties of the composite material, for better product quality and, above all, it has optimized the work environment, eliminating the risk of noxious emissions.   Intermarine has already built 38 mine countermeasures vessels (whether directly or through licences granted to foreign partners) for 7 Navies in 8 different configurations (with different propulsion systems and mission equipment). The two vessels launched today and in summer 2009 for the Finnish Navy bring this number to 40 overall.   For further information: Group Immsi Press Office Roberto M. Zerbi Tel. +39 02.319612.15/16/17/18 roberto.zerbi@piaggio.com - press@piaggio.com   Intermarine Press Office Paola Vettori Tel. +39 0187 617551 - Email: p.vettori@intermarine.it