Nidec Conversion alongside the Amerigo Vespucci Ship to celebrate together the completion of the round-the-globe tour
Nidec Conversion welcomed back to the Port of Genoa the return of the “Lady of the Seas,” which concluded the epic endeavor of the round-the-globe voyage that began on July 1, 2023, during which she crossed 5 continents and traveled 49,000 nautical miles also thanks to “Aliseo,” the engine signed by Nidec.
Nidec Conversion developed the electric-powered heart of the Amerigo Vespucci 10 years ago, a unique dual active-part asynchronous motor built between the Monfalcone plant and the Cinisello Balsamo headquarters.
Milan – June 13, 2025 – For ten years now, the history of Nidec Conversion has been tied inextricably to that of the Amerigo Vespucci Ship, the Italian Navy’s training ship that has been plying the seas for more than 90 years, renewing its role as an ambassador of Made in Italy around the world year after year.
The Amerigo Vespucci docked at the Port of Genoa on June 11, thus concluding the World Tour that began on July 1, 2023 with Livorno Naval Academy cadets on board. In this trip around the globe, which lasted 23 months, the most beautiful sailing ship in the world touched 5 continents, 30 countries, 35 ports and covered 49,000 nautical miles, also thanks to “Aliseo”: its green heart made of Nidec Conversion technologies from the Monfalcone plant, renamed so in reference to the typical challenges of sailing caused by the significant winds of the Atlantic Ocean.
Indeed, the electric propulsion motor, which has supported most of the navigation, is celebrating its 10th birthday in 2025: it is an asynchronous motor with dual active parts, a unique design piece capable of ensuring maximum reliability while minimizing its acoustic impact, with the goal of ensuring navigation with only the rumble of the wind between the sails. The variable frequency drives (VFDs) powering the propulsion motor are also signed by Nidec Conversion and developed in the Cinisello Balsamo plant.
Nidec Conversion accompanied the Vespucci not only across the sea but also on land, through the support of the Italian team of engineers, who carried out five interventions during the tour, following the sailing ship through the stops in La Plata, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Singapore, Trieste, Brindisi, Naples and Genoa to keep the ship’s efficiency at its maximum from the beginning to the end of the journey. Of these, the stop in Tokyo was particularly symbolic for Nidec, as it was also an occasion for a visit by the Group’s Japanese top management.
Welcoming the “Lady of the Seas” on her return to the Parodi Bridge in the Port of Genoa, in addition to Italian institutions, were Lorenzo Ghiara, Service Sales Key Account Manager at Nidec Conversion, who personally supported the ship’s World Tour in its maintenance stages; Danilo Firpo, Vice President Global Service at Nidec Conversion; Paola Giordano, Vice President HR Nidec Energy; and Alessandro Venturi Sales Director Italy Nidec Conversion, along with Amerigo Vespucci’s Machine Director Marco Attanasio.
Dominique Llonch, President and CEO of Nidec Conversion and President of Nidec Energy said “The work done over the past 10 years with the Amerigo Vespucci and during these last 23 months of the World Tour have confirmed the efficiency and reliability of our power, control and safety systems for the maritime sector. We are proud of the renewed and lasting partnership with the Italian Navy and the crew of the world’s most beautiful sailing ship.”
“Taking part in this epic endeavor was thrilling. We have been taking care of the green heart of the Amerigo Vespucci for 10 years now, and we are very pleased with how the entire Italian team managed the maintenance in the different stages around the globe, once again confirming the excellence of Made In Italy also at the international level.” commented Lorenzo Ghiara, Service Sales Key Account Manager of Nidec Conversion, on the sidelines of the event.
Nidec Conversion
Nidec Conversion offers complete, customized electrical systems for energy efficiency in all fields. Its target markets are petrochemical, traditional and renewable energy, steel, marine and industrial automation. The multinational company specializes in heavy-duty applications with electric motors and generators up to 65 MW power (87,000 hp), electronic power converters and inverters, automation and software for industrial processes, and the retrofitting of power plants and hydroelectric generators. In addition, the company has strong know-how in the field of integrated systems for the production and storage of electrical energy (i.e. BESS) from renewable sources and their integration into electricity grids, as well as in the design and implementation of infrastructures for recharging electrical machines. Nidec Conversion is also able to offer optimized technologies for motor control and to develop automation solutions for specific applications, customized to the client’s needs.
For further information visit the website: www.nidec-conversion.com
Press Office:
Barabino & Partners
Fabrizio Grassi – [email protected]
Elisa Jandolo Cossu – [email protected]