RINA, the multinational engineering consultancy, inspection and certification group, has acquired the entire share capital of Foreship from Vaaka Partners and the company’s managers. Foreship is a Finnish company specialising in naval architecture and marine engineering.
The acquisition marks a further expansion of RINA’s marine engineering consulting offering worldwide, while strengthening its presence in Northern Europe.
Foreship, with 2024 revenues of EUR 15.2 million is headquartered in Helsinki and employs over ninety professionals across eight offices globally, including the USA, UK and Estonia. The company is best known for its high-profile work in cruise ship design, energy-efficient vessel innovations, and sustainable marine technologies.
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High synergies
Its experience in naval architecture offers high synergies within RINA Consulting and opportunities to increase market share in the maritime consultancy sector, particularly in complex retrofits, new fuel integrations, and digital transformation.
‘Foreship offers unique competence which is highly appreciated by its clients,’says Ugo Salerno, Executive Chairman of RINA. ‘It brings an exceptional track record and a depth of expertise in naval architecture that complements our own consulting engineering capabilities. Together, on a shared path of growth, we will deliver even greater value to the global shipping industry, advancing sustainability, digital innovation and ship lifecycle services.’
Lauri Haavisto, CEO of Foreship: ‘Foreship’s vision is to lead in sustainable passenger ship conversions, new builds, and consultancy. Joining forces with a global partner like RINA will accelerate our growth, expand our knowledge, and strengthen our client relationships, while continuing to foster the close collaboration we value.’
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Rina Consulting
In line with RINA’s governance and organisational model, Foreship operations will be part of RINA Consulting.
‘We are proud to welcome into our group a company that shares our core values of independence, innovation, and engineering excellence,’ states Carlo Luzzatto, CEO of RINA. ‘This acquisition aligns with our strategic plan to become an increasingly essential reference point for our clients, supporting them with our broad-based knowledge. Foreship’s solid reputation and global customer base, including major cruise lines and shipping companies, make it a natural fit for our fast-growing marine consulting business. Foreship reputation as a trusted independent advisor is seen as a core asset that RINA aims to preserve and enhance.’
Picture: From left to right – Petrus Blomqvist, Partner at Vaaka; Lauri Haavisto, CEO of Foreship; Markus Aarnio, Chief Naval Architect at Foreship; Carlo Luzzatto, CEO of RINA (photo RINA).
