«Our primacy derives from the ability to combine design, technology and quality of materials, from outdoor furnishings to lighting engineering. We have also made important progress in terms of sustainability, energy saving and reduction of CO2 emissions. Italy is the undisputed leader in the specific segment of super-yachts, i.e. boats over 24 meters in length. Of approximately 1,500 vessels currently under construction worldwide, more than half are produced by Italian shipyards. We have the top three shipyards in the world, with another six in the top twenty. Orders are coming through 2027, which demonstrates our growing leadership in the industry. Big buyers from all over the world, from the United States to the Far East via the United Arab Emirates, are not satisfied with just any yacht: they want an Italian one."
We export 88% of shipbuilding production, while only 12% is destined for the domestic market: why?
«Italy ranks first among world exporters, if we look at the trade balance (export - import) we see that there is a void behind us, because not only do we export a lot, but we also import little. We know that the best is here and even Italians, who are fewer in number than foreigners, want Made in Italy. The world market regarding the yacht segment is not easy to read, because many buyers, or rather many destination countries, are not those of the buyer's citizenship, but where the boats are registered and kept registered. The first – real – market is the United States, the second the Cayman Islands. Because they are a place where many international customers register boats. The same goes for Malta, it's not that the Maltese are big fans of sailing with yachts, it's that there is a very competitive register there within the EU. As well as France and the Arab countries, another rapidly growing market. Even if the boats purchased from Arab countries are not necessarily registered as exports to the Gulf, nor kept in seasonal mooring on those coasts".
In reality, boating is also important for the work it provides to the tertiary sector...
«Yes, having ports means having work on Italian soil, which is not just building the boat, but also managing its rental, tourist destinations, assistance, maintenance and everything. Many buyers are companies that then charter the vessels. It's not a given that anyone who wants to take a summer trip on a yacht necessarily has to buy one. Many resort to shipping companies which then rent the boats at various times of the year."
So is there a tourism-based ecosystem that depends on recreational craft, like chartering?
«Not only rental, but also storage and maintenance are important, especially when managing high-value objects, such as boats. The owners of these boats want to ensure constant and rigorous maintenance. Some states, such as the Netherlands, specialize in the storage and refitting of large vessels. This makes the Netherlands an important player in the boat trade, acting as both an exporter and an importer. For example, a Russian emir or oligarch might sell his vessel to another person, who then imports it to the Netherlands. This is not a new boat, but a second-hand boat. After leaving it in the Netherlands for a year to undergo refitting, the vessel is then re-exported. This means that Dutch trade flows are very different from ours. They rely on storage, while the majority of Italian exports – from 95 to 99% – are made up of new boats produced and sold."
