About us

Naval engineering, tailor-made.

HPE Italy is a naval engineering firm specialising in planing, semi-displacement and displacement hulls. We provide turnkey engineering and project-based technical and structural refits.

We work alongside shipyards and yacht designers, from the first lines plan to sea trials, with a single technical team.

20+years of technical direction at the yard

50+knots on HPE-engineered planing hulls

12–35mcomplete projects, from hull to systems

11monthsfrom design to launch of the ISA GTO 70

The team

The people behind every project.

Two naval engineers with complementary backgrounds: more than twenty years of technical direction at the yard, and recent training in yacht design and research.

Co-founder · Naval Engineer

Flavio Di Caterino

Naval engineer trained at the University of Naples Federico II, with more than twenty years in high-performance yachting. For ten years Technical Director at Cantieri di Baia, he led the design and production of the Baia Italia 70', Boat of the Year at the 2007 Genoa Boat Show, and of the Baia One Hundred, including model tests of planing hulls at the Naples towing tank, and he authored a research project on unconventional hulls. At HPE he brings cross-disciplinary experience.

Co-founder · Naval Engineer

Alec Malito

A naval engineer with a passion for yacht design, he trained at the University of Genoa, graduating with honours. From his early years he combined technical-office work with research, contributing with CNR and Sapienza University of Rome to the development of an autonomous naval drone.

Over time he has built all-round experience, from structural and systems design to technical direction at the yard, bringing vessels such as the Baia 84 Atlantica to launch and now overseeing the construction of a 45 m displacement yacht for Falcon Yachts.

At HPE he combines engineering rigour with first-hand yard knowledge, applying them to design, surveys and technical appraisals. A lecturer at ISYL, he believes in passing the craft on to the next generation of the yachting industry.

01 — Design

Innovative yacht design, lasting value.

We work with established yacht designers to create projects that create lasting value for the owner while maintaining high quality standards. Every concept starts from the owner's vision and follows a structured process that integrates aesthetics, naval architecture and structural engineering, with 3D modelling, performance simulations and ergonomic studies.

Our design method

i.
Analysis and goal definition

Every project begins with an in-depth discussion with the client to define functional, operational and aesthetic requirements and the technical specification.
ii.
Concept design and integrated engineering

A preliminary study leads to a coherent concept of hull lines, interior and exterior layout, systems and structure, developed with the shipyard’s production needs in mind.
iii.
Modelling, calculation and optimisation

Detailed 3D models backed by CFD simulations, FEM analysis and structural checks to optimise weight, resistance, performance and comfort.
iv.
Validation and construction support

We follow the project through construction with technical validation, testing and on-site support at the yard.

02 — Engineering

Giving shape to vision.

We bring together creativity and expertise in an interdisciplinary approach that turns ideas into reality, with a focus on efficiency, quality and long-term value.

Our naval engineering services

Technical and economic feasibility

We assess the soundness of the project from the earliest stages.

Integrated design

Hull and superstructure, exteriors and interiors, balancing function and style.

3D CAD modelling

Photorealistic renderings to validate and present concepts.

Structural drawings

Drawings compliant with the main classification societies, such as RINA, BV and ABS.

Systems engineering

On-board systems: HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fuel and integrated systems.

Hydrostatic and hydrodynamic calculations

Verification of the vessel’s stability, efficiency and safety.

Services

From concept to after-delivery.

A single technical partner for every phase of the project, from the first idea to support after launch.

Naval architecture

Hull forms and lines plan, hydrostatics, intact and damage stability (GZ curve), trim and seakeeping.

CFD / FSI hydrodynamics

Resistance, propeller inflow, slamming and dynamic deformation; hull optimisation for high speed.

Structures & composites

FEM analysis of composites, carbon fibre, HDPE and metals; lamination schedules and class-compliant structural drawings.

Systems & propulsion

Shaft lines, surface drives, pods, waterjets and hybrid; HVAC, electrical, plumbing and fuel systems.

Compliance & class

CE A/B/C/D, RINA, BV, ABS, Lloyd’s, ISO / SOLAS, MARPOL.

Yard & lifecycle

Construction drawings and BOM, on-site supervision, sea trials, refit and as-built documentation.

03 — R&I

Engineering excellence through innovation.

Research is at the heart of our work: advanced calculation and modelling software to optimise projects, and engineering consultancy for the most complex technical challenges. We turn data into practical solutions, investing in tools, methods and training.

Our in-house R&I lab carries out towing-tank and sea tests, including 6-degree-of-freedom roll tests, CFD, FSI and FEM analysis of composite structures, and supports the development of lamination schedules.