Excellence and Safety As the Only Route

Foundation and the Challenge of Asmara

The company is the result of the efforts and tenacity of two young brothers and divers, Domenico and Giovanni Barretta, who, betting on their own strength, won a momentous challenge.

The adventure began with the recovery of the wreck of the refrigerator ship "Asmara," sunk by a British submarine in 1941 during the Second World War. This operation was carried out through the purchase of the fixed-boom pontoon "TENAX" (70 tons), made possible by a wealthy and far-sighted financier from the north, Mr. Cucchi, owner of a steel mill in Brescia. He believed in the Barretta brothers' project, advancing them a sum of 40 million lire—an astronomical amount at the time. In exchange, Mr. Cucchi required the iron recovered from the wreck of the Asmara until the loaned amount was covered. The two Barretta brothers worked as divers 18 hours a day to recover as much iron as possible from the Asmara, constantly risking their lives and fearing they would not be able to repay the debt to the financier.

However, a fortunate circumstance occurred: in the summer of 1950, the Korean War broke out, and the price of iron skyrocketed. Consequently, the Barrettas were able to extinguish their debt to Mr. Cucchi in just one month.

The First Tugs and Official Authorization

Following the successful salvage of the Asmara, they purchased their first tugboat in 1948, the "VIGOR." Their operations expanded: in 1952, they acquired the formidable "ARDIMENTOSO" (52 m) in France, and the Harbour Master's Office formally authorized the company to perform towage services in the vital port of Brindisi.

The Era of Deep Sea Towage and Offshore

The 1980s marked the crucial modernization of the fleet: a transition from steam to motor propulsion. The commissioning of the powerful newly-built motor tug "TEODORO BARRETTA" (3800 BHP) expanded the company's scope to deep-sea towage, enabling prestigious high-seas salvage operations and intercontinental maritime transfers, such as those performed as far as Libya.

Azimuth Revolution and ENI Experience

A new technological turning point was the introduction of azimuth propulsion units, such as "MARIETTA BARRETTA" and "ASMARA." With these cutting-edge vessels, Barretta operated constantly in offshore operations for ENI at the Aquila field and excelled in complex multinational refloating operations.

International Collaboration: The Irinikos Salvage

In 2004, Impresa Barretta collaborated with the Dutch company SMIT Salvage, one of the most prominent salvage companies in the world, in the rescue operation of the m/v "Irinikos", which had run aground with a significant cargo of coal at the entrance to the port of Brindisi.

Continuous Evolution: The New TENAX

The entry of the new tug "TENAX" into the fleet marked another fundamental milestone. The name, evoking the legendary pontoon of 1946, symbolizes the unbreakable bond between the heroic past and innovation. The Tenax incorporates the most futuristic technologies in the maritime sector, making it a versatile and powerful vessel, perfect for both harbour towage and complex offshore operations.

The Salvage of the Norman Atlantic Ferry

The Barretta salvage fleet wrote one of the most heroic chapters in recent maritime history when, in prohibitive weather conditions in the Strait of Otranto, its brave crews faced a massive fire aboard the Norman Atlantic ferry, saving hundreds of shipwreck survivors and securing the hull.

The Future is Today: EXCALIBUR

The latest to join the fleet is the EXCALIBUR. An azimuth tug designed to face the challenges of an increasingly demanding global market. With its power and maneuverability, the Excalibur consolidates Impresa Barretta's position as a leader in the Adriatic.

The Latest Generation at the Helm

Under the expert leadership of Rosalba, Giuseppe, Paola, and Giovanni, the company today counts 5 tugs, and 3 floating pontoons. A solid and dynamic reality that, backed by nearly 80 years of history, continues to sail toward new horizons with the same passion and courage of its founders.