• 2019 March 16 12:37

    RINA: Investing in industry 4.0 for growth

    With the so-called fourth industrial revolution comes the concept of a “smart factory”, where manufacturing processes are boosted by digital technologies including automation, the Internet of Things, cloud computing, big data and machine learning.

    Italy is the second largest manufacturing country in the EU, known for its broad scope of products, flexibility and innovation. But after the 2009 financial crisis, the Italian manufacturing base was exhausted. Machines were old. There was limited cashflow for investment. To encourage an upgrade in manufacturing assets, the Italian government introduced a “hyper-amortisation” measure in the 2017 and 2018 budgets. This tax measure basically offers a 150 percent increase in the value of investments in new tangible devices and technologies, purchased or leased, that enable the Industry 4.0 transformation. Companies can also benefit from tax relief for investments in intangible capital goods such as software and IT systems, with an additional 40 percent increase in value.

    Assets that fall under the hyper-amortisation measure are capital goods controlled by computerised systems or managed by appropriate sensors and drivers, as well as intangible assets such as software, systems and system integration platforms and applications. Investment in these assets allows better interaction between personnel, processes and machinery, speeds up decision-making, improves productivity and quality and satisfies demand in a more targeted and cost-effective way.

    In terms of success so far, this measure gets full marks: the Italian Confederation of Enterprises, Confindustria, has recorded sustained growth in all main sectors of the economy and the Ministry of Economic Development has recorded strong growth in the turnover of asset-supplying companies.

    To take advantage of the tax benefits, a formal attestation of conformity is required stating that the asset has certain specific technical characteristics and is interconnected with internal or external digital systems. In Italy, this is the first time that fiscal benefits depend upon strict technical examinations.

    RINA is one of the certification bodies accredited to issue the required attestation of conformity. The verification process spans a preliminary document analysis to an in-field verification of conformity and is carried out by a multidisciplinary team from our Certification and Industry Business Units. Over the last two years, we have performed such verifications for hundreds of companies. The process has been refined through specific monitoring tools, experimentation and sharing best practices.

    Along with certification, we are often asked to support companies with digital consulting and specific training modules. New smart and attested assets may be the building blocks of the digital transformation, but consulting and training are essential to exploit their full potential. And as a true partner to companies, we don’t just talk about digital transformation, we do it ourselves. Our RINACube cloud-based “platform of platforms” offers a space where key enabling technologies such as digital twins and blockchains can be tested risk-free by customers before integration into their own processes.


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13:48 ClassNK grants Innovation Endorsements for Products & Solutions to two innovative initiatives by MOL
13:37 Konecranes launches its flagship Konecranes X-series industrial crane
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2024 March 27

18:22 Bureau Veritas awards world’s first prototype certification for SolarDuck’s floating offshore solar solution
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17:38 The Port of Rotterdam calls on the European Commission and Parliament to focus on actively promoting green energy
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14:53 Ocean Installer secures yet another SLM contract with Equinor
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13:42 Carnival Cruise Line orders 5th Excel-class cruise ship
13:11 Maersk and MSC overcharging cargo owners for EU ETS, says T&E
12:52 The Port Authority of Valencia launches the ZAL project in the Port of Valencia
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2024 March 26

18:02 COSCO Shipping Lines introduces new Americas service
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16:57 Terntank places an order for 1+1 additional wind/ methanol-ready hybrid tanker
16:28 BW LNG completes acquisition of two TFDE vessels from Stena Bulk
15:50 Hanwha Ocean develops VR-based special vehicle simulator
15:20 TotalEnergies and SINOPEC join forces to produce sustainable jet fuel at a SINOPEC's refinery
14:52 Wärtsilä Lifecycle Agreement to guarantee operational reliability of new wind farm installation vessel
14:23 Hudong-Zhonghua launches two LNG carriers
13:51 Cargo ship hits Baltimore’s Key Bridge
13:12 Final sanctioned tanker with Russian Sokol oil to reach China port - Reuters
12:42 Adani Ports acquires 95% of Odisha's Gopalpur Port from SP Group for $162 million
12:21 IHI and Yara Clean Ammonia agree to jointly assess clean ammonia business collaboration
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11:16 Wartsila and Royal Caribbean Group celebrate 15 years of collaboration on digital transformation
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2024 March 25

18:07 The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore continues to investigate reports of oil spills off the port of Tuas
17:31 “K” Line, NIPPON HAKUYO and OPT Gate sign an agreement for a new fire detection system for car carriers
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14:40 Taiwan International Port to upgrade terminal facility at Kaohsiung
13:59 Сruise ship Carnival Freedom catches fire near Bahamas
12:59 Hanwha Ocean wins 2.4 tln-won order for 8 LNG ships
11:16 Inland Ports meet in Paris to talk about the innovation potential of inland ports
10:50 IMO agrees possible outline for maritime “net-zero framework”
10:24 Hapag-Lloyd to continue to avoid the Red Sea route
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2024 March 24

16:18 Inchgreen Marine Park upgraded as part of £11m investment
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13:07 First LNG powered vessel calls at HIP
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11:32 Equinor ASA posts net income at USD 11.9 billion in 2023
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