"Italy needs a real network of ports for megayachts."

Freshly appointed but an industry expert, Teodoro Titi is the new president of the Yacht section of Federagenti, the organization representing 65 maritime agencies throughout Italy, primarily specializing in providing assistance services to pleasure boats. His term will be two years, and, as he clarifies in this first public interview with SUPER YACHT 24, he builds on the work of his predecessor Gianni Gasparini, who led the section for eight years "with great commitment and excellent work, positioning maritime agents as an authoritative player in yachting, unafraid to address many issues head-on," Titi emphasizes.

So where will your work start, Titi?

“I was already on the board of directors of the Yacht section and have closely followed the projects and campaigns that Federagenti has carried out in recent years, especially regarding relations with institutions and public opinion: we must try to change the perception of the yachting industry.”

The old prejudice about boating being a business only for "rich people", in short...

"Exactly, unfortunately our sector still suffers from widespread social envy; few understand the potential it has for advanced tourism development."

So, what are the levels of intervention needed?

"First and foremost, regarding communication. Our goal as an association is to develop an integrated and strategic plan that will help change that misconception about boating we mentioned. In some regions, for example, nautical tourism isn't even recorded in official statistics—I'm thinking of Puglia, for example, where I work. Obviously, it's difficult for us to convey our economic value if we're not measured. We must therefore go to marinas and continue to raise awareness among operators and institutions."

Here, the ports and berths: what do you think of our offer to yachtsmen?

In Italy, we have many well-equipped, high-end marinas, but what's really missing is a real network connecting them. I'm referring especially to those capable of accommodating megayachts and thus guaranteeing adequate services for high-end and ultra-high-end shipowners, putting us in real competition with countries like France, Spain, Montenegro, and Croatia, to name the closest ones.

Actually, we also have many ports…

True, but above all, they're intended for local boating, for residents' small and very small boats. These obviously need to be protected, but we shouldn't forget the needs of those who generate the most income in the area: megayachts. They're too often forced to dock in commercial ports. We also need to be able to keep them in our ports during the winter.

But are shipping agents able to adequately assist these customers?

"Here we come to the second level we want to address, namely training. This is a fundamental issue; the work of agents working in the yachting sector is, in some respects, very different from that of those working in ports. The regulations are different, and we must be able to interact effectively with Port Authorities and Harbour Masters. We must therefore train, either independently or with partners we can identify, a new class of young and competent maritime agents."

It's a great challenge, given that you already deal with several rather complex problems in your daily work.

"Yes, at Federagenti, we've always dealt with entities like ministries regarding visas, permits, etc., both for personnel and equipment, and it's not easy. For example, we're working closely with shipowners' associations on a problem related to visas issued to foreign crews, which risks losing a significant portion of vessels across the entire supply chain, who might choose not to dock in Italy. This is just one example of the daily work that has always engaged not only the section but the entire Federagenti organization."

A first opportunity for Titi and his colleagues to discuss this issue is the annual meeting of the yacht division, scheduled for April in Sardinia: the stated goal is also to broaden participation in the activities as much as possible to local associations.

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