Navimeteo and Vaisala Xweather spotlight the future of marine weather forecasting in Italy

On May 14, Navimeteo and Vaisala Xweather hosted “The New Weather Character of the Mediterranean Sea” at the Grand Hotel Torre Fara in Chiavari, Italy, dedicated to the growing impact of severe weather phenomena on maritime operations.

The event marked Vaisala Xweather’s first industry workshop in Italy and was organised in cooperation with the Fratelli Cosulich Group through the subsidiary company Navimeteo, bringing together professionals from the shipping, cruise, yachting, meteorological and port operations sectors to discuss how weather forecasting, nowcasting and advanced monitoring technologies are reshaping operational decision-making at sea.

Throughout the afternoon, speakers and participants explored the evolving meteorological dynamics of the Mediterranean basin, focusing on frequent severe thunderstorms, violent wind gusts and rapidly developing convective systems that are having a direct impact on navigation, port manoeuvres and offshore operations.

Particular attention was dedicated to operational case studies and to the role of real-time weather intelligence in supporting maritime safety and risk management. Representatives from cruise operators, terminal operators, captains, pilots, meteorologists and maritime professionals contributed to the discussion, sharing experiences and perspectives from different areas of the industry.

A long-standing collaboration behind the event The workshop also highlighted the long-standing collaboration between Navimeteo and Vaisala Xweather, which over the years has led to the development of advanced weather monitoring solutions, including Lightning, Navimeteo’s patented technology dedicated to lightning detection and maritime weather risk monitoring.The relationship between the two companies combines Vaisala Xweather’s global expertise in weather technologies and environmental monitoring with Navimeteo’s operational experience in marine forecasting and maritime support services.

"The Mediterranean is one of the world's most demanding maritime environments, and addressing its weather challenges requires our expertise and the operational partnership we have built with Navimeteo. We look forward to continuing to develop solutions together that make maritime navigation safer and more resilient across the region."  Samuli Hänninen, Executive Vice President at Vaisala Xweather

“When I first started navigating at sea more than thirty years ago, I understood how closely weather, technology and safety are connected in maritime operations.Seeing today an event where these topics come together around the same table, confirms that the direction we believed in from the beginning was the right one.Over time, we have built strong relationships with partners who share the same operational approach and long-term vision. I would especially like to thank Vaisala and all the business partners who continue to be part of this journey with us.”Gianfranco Meggiorin, Found and Operational Coordinator at Navimeteo

As weather patterns become increasingly complex across the Mediterranean, the event offered an opportunity to exchange operational perspectives on challenges that are becoming increasingly relevant for maritime safety and navigation throughout the region.