The Blue Economy in Italy has been growing continuously for 7 years and in 2023 it saw another double-digit growth in turnover reaching its historical maximum, contributing 7 billion to the national GDP and showing a very strong predisposition for export. These are the data contained in the “Boating Economic Forecast”, the new edition of Nautica in Cifre LOG, the statistical yearbook produced by the Research Office of Confindustria Nautica in partnership with Edison Foundation.
The dossier was presented to the Genoa International Boat Show, arrived at its 64th edition, which confirmed its vocation as Showcase of Made in Italy, as is the Design Salon of April for the furniture sector. In Genoa they are showcased all the nautical supply chains: from yachts and superyachts to outboards, sailing, components and accessories.
Italian nautical industry grows by 13,6%, superyachts by 21%
Il national turnover of recreational boating, according to data from the Research Office of Confindustria Nautica in collaboration with the Edison Foundation, is grew again by double digits in 2023, with a race that continues uninterrupted for 7 years, and confirms the global leadership in the Italian production of superyacht which recorded in 2023 + 21 % compared to the previous year, holding 51% of global orders.
“A growth in the name of innovation and sustainability, in materials, propulsion, technologies, which also wants to become a flag of the event” says Confindustria. “The sector of pleasure boating confirms itself as very solid in 2023, continuing the reactive growth that has characterized the post-pandemic years: the industrial sector turnover has in fact reached the all-time high of 8,33 billion of euros, which corresponds to exactly 1 billion more than in 2022. The increase equal to 13,6 % follows the already significant growth of the 20% achieved in 2022He said Xavier Cecchi, President of Confindustria Nautica.
Il contribution of the nautical sector to the national GDP was more than 7 billion euros in 2023, with an increase of approximately 14,2% compared to last year, says Confindustria Nautica. The weight of the contribution of the nautical sector to the GDP in relation to the national GDP has also reached 3,38 per thousand, constantly increasing since 2013, showing a greater growth of the sector compared to the national economy, especially evident in the last three years.
“Nauticals have a economic and employment impact in Italy exceptional that derives not only from shipbuilding, but largely from the economic benefits deriving from the presence of pleasure craft in our waters” underlined Carolina Villa, Vice President of Assagenti. “We must ensure that our coasts are not simply summer waypoints, but that they increasingly consolidate themselves as places where people sail and possibly also stay during the winter”.
Exports peak at 4,43 billion in Q2024 XNUMX
Among the factors that have fueled this further increase in turnover, we must consider theexport exploits of shipbuilding production which exceeded the 4 billion threshold in 2023, growing further in first quarter 2024, reaching a peak of 4,23 billion euro” he said Marco Fortis, Director and Vice President of Fondazione Edison. “In 2023, Italy maintains the primacy of world's leading exporting country in the shipbuilding sector, representing the 19,3% of world exports; this is the largest share ever recorded by our country – continued Fortis. The Italian nautical industry evidently has a strong propensity for foreign markets, with Usa which continue to be the most important market globally for our shipyards. Thanks to a export rate of 90%, the Italian production of new pleasure craft confirms its world record in superyachts – with more than half of global orders – as well as in the segments of large pneumatic units, components and accessories”.
As regards the impact of the Italian nautical sector on job market, the actual employees in 2023 rose to 30.690, with a growth of approximately 7%. “This sector has created a supply chain of over 200 thousand jobs capable of competing with international competition,” Cecchi added.
2024 will see a normalization, but the future remains positive
Stefano Pagani Isnardi, analyst of Confindustria Nautica, says that "the 2024 appears to be characterised so far by a normalization of the growth of the sector, following the long cycle of strong development, and from a more evident differentiation of the dynamics between the products of high-end , small boating. The performances of the main autumn boat shows of 2024, driven by our Boat Show, will be able to clarify the reference framework, but the prospects for the future, at the level of Italian industry, they should remain overall reviews".
Sanlorenzo and Ferretti: focusing on sustainability
Two of the major players in the Italian nautical industry agree on the topic of sustainability. “We produce 52% of the pleasure boats in the world,” he said. Massimo Perotti, CEO Saint Lawrence, “Since Covid we have recorded a growth of 400% of the commodity sector. However, we must look to the future and sustainability challenges. My group built the first 50 meters to transform methanol into hydrogen but there are no adequate regulations to refuel safely. It is a problem at European level that must be solved”. Therefore, in Europe there must be greater attention to this sector.
“Sustainability” he added Alberto Galassi, CEO of Ferretti Group, “it must be social, economic and environmental. I invite you to keep the threshold of attention high in Brussels to avoid decisions being taken without considering the domino effect with sometimes devastating consequences in economic and social terms”.
The new spaces of the Salone: Renzo Piano's project moves forward
- spaces of the Salon, which will remain open until September 24, are larger than the previous edition and are a more complete "container", thanks to the progress of the works on the eastern Waterfront of Genoa, designed by thearchitect Renzo Piano, even if there is still an area under construction: the new entrance to the renovated “old” Palasport, with the boats also on display in the canal that completely surrounds the island of the Blue Pavilion.
All the numbers of the 64th edition of the Genoa Boat Show
All the major nautical brands are present in Genoa at this 64th edition of the Show, along with many new ones, to present the latest models of the most innovative, high-performance, elegant and also sustainable yachts, sailboats and boats of all sizes and types.
The numbers of the show: 1.052 brands, 1.030 boats on display, 220 thousand square meters of exhibition space between land and water, 100 new products with 30 premieres, 23 more foreign exhibitors than last year in the production sector alone. There are many new products in all sectors. In the yacht and superyacht segment, the Show features among others the Amer 120 (35,50 meters) by Amer Yachts, equipped with a catalytic system that reduces emissions, the Exuma 35 (35,20 meters) by Maiora, equipped with a terrace of over 130 square meters, and the Sanlorenzo SL86A (26,60 meters) which has revolutionized the world of yachting with its asymmetrical deck organization.
Fiscal issues remain open: focus on the repeal of the consolidated customs law
During the opening day of the Salon, which saw the presence of the President of the Senate, Ignazio La Russa, and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Matteo Salvini, yesterday an update was made on tax, customs and sector regulations, with a focus onrepeal of the consolidated customs law. Such a repeal, it was underlined, would open up prospects of simplification: for example, as underlined by Ezio Vannucci of Moore & Rowland Partner, there is the possibility of align Italian legislation with that of neighbouring France on the subject of the cancellation of surety bonds for refitting work. On this, Director Oliviero reassured "the tools are there, we must use them and therefore also on the subject of guarantees we can work at least to improve compared to the 2020 Circular".
The other boat shows: Cannes, Southampton, up to Monte Carlo
September is the richest month for world boating with 4 events. Boating enthusiasts have assigned an adjective to each show: Cannes, the first of the series, Southampton, the smallest, Genoa, the largest, Monaco, the most exclusive.
The event was held from 10th to 15th September Cannes Yachting Festival. 700 boats were exhibited on the French Riviera, as well as engines, components and everything that revolves around the world of the sea. Cannes is also busy with redevelopment work both in the city and in the Vieux Port, which will continue until 2026.
Overlapping between the Cannes and Genoa Boat Shows, from 13 to 22 September, the Southampton, the UK's premier nautical event, with an obvious British flavour. The 55th Southampton International Boat Show will see around 500 boats on display at Mayflower Park, from kayaks to superyachts.
But superyacht owners keep their top-of-the-range models ready for Monaco Boat Show which closes the month of boat shows from 25 to 28 September. Positioned in the enchanting Port Hercule of the Principality of Monaco, at the Monegasque event which has reached its thirty-third edition this year, the owners show off luxury and mind-blowing lengths. The entrance ticket price communicates this: 690 euros for one day (VAT included…), 1.170 for two days and 1.860 euros for all three days. Attention: the most considered boats are those 30 meters and above.
