Fincantieri Files €100M Lawsuit Against Owens Corning Over Defective Cruise Ship Insulation

Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has launched a lawsuit against Owens Corning and its Finnish subsidiary Paroc, seeking over €100 million (approximately $110 million) in damages. The lawsuit revolves around fire-resistant insulation panels supplied for various cruise vessels, which Fincantieri claims did not meet safety standards.

Owens Corning, based in Toledo, Ohio, produces insulation materials and is recognized as the largest manufacturer of fiberglass composites globally. Paroc focuses on energy-efficient and fire-resistant insulation products made of stone wool.

Court documents state that the insulation panels, intended for marine construction, were certified based on tests conducted on modified samples, not on the standard production materials. These panels were installed in at least 12 cruise ships, including MSC’s Explora I and Explora II.

The alleged non-compliance caused significant delays, including the postponement of the delivery of Explora I, which was originally scheduled for June 29, 2023. Explora II and another unnamed ship also faced schedule disruptions. Fincantieri claims these issues resulted in penalty costs, component replacement expenses, and delays in meeting project milestones.

Moreover, the insulation materials in question have repercussions for more than 45 vessels already in service, built for various operators over the years. In 2023, Owens Corning and Paroc recalled the material, warning that it posed serious health risks, potentially leading to severe injuries or fatalities during a fire.

Fincantieri further alleges that Owens Corning failed to take adequate measures to address safety hazards for vessels already in operation, despite internal evaluations indicating significant safety risks.

The outcome of this case is anticipated to have important implications for safety certification protocols, liability issues related to defective components, and overall procurement standards in the global cruise shipbuilding sector.

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