Filippo Duò (Vittoria Yachts): "In a year, we will expand our superyacht operations to Monfalcone as well."

Cannes (France) – At the recently concluded Cannes Yachting Festival, the Italian brand Vittoria Yachts was among the most eagerly anticipated by industry insiders, representing one of the most ambitious market players, determined to establish itself in the world of superyachts. Filippo Duò, head of communications and digital for the Adria (Rovigo)-based shipyard, in this interview with SUPER YACHT 24, outlined the direction Vittoria Yachts intends to take to establish itself in the large pleasure boating segment.

Let's start by telling you what the current situation is for Vittoria Yachts and what you see ahead for the near future as a new entrant in the superyacht sector.

We are certainly experiencing significant economic hardship globally, but fortunately for us, the nautical market is responding very well. Above all, new market areas are opening up, with an increasing number of potential customers from the United States now that the Russian market is closed off. Therefore, we are happily riding the wave of this new market phase, advancing our two product lines: Explorer Project Bow Sprit. 54 meters and Veloce 32 meters Rph (both designed, as is known, by Hydro Tec by Sergio Cutolo for both the interiors and exteriors). New units are currently under construction for both on speculation However, we have some new customers on the horizon with whom we expect to close some orders soon, as they have shown great interest in the features of the boats, not only in terms of the original basic layout, but also in terms of the ability to customize it according to their needs."

What are the special features of Vittoria Yachts pleasure boats?

“It's clear that there's a basic layout with more or less fixed characteristics, but we always guarantee complete customization: if a customer asks for a helipad, we can easily insert it by modifying the boat. We have an open negotiation with a potential client, for example, who asked us to study a 42-meter vessel that therefore does not fall within the range of the two lines with a helipad. However We're open to whatever the market demands; if someone has an idea, they can come to us, propose it, and we'll figure out what to do.

This is also because, having a military defense & security background in the naval sector, we are used to facing ever-changing challenges, ever-changing prototypes at the engineering and construction level, and we adapt to the most diverse needs.”

For example?

We've conducted significant research and development in recent years, investing part of our revenue in new technologies. We've focused on hybrid propulsion, particularly in the defense and security market, and we plan to soon bring it to the yachting world. For example, in recent months, we launched the Guardia di Finanza's flagship, which features this type of propulsion, and we're certainly noticing that the market trend is toward clients who are increasingly attentive to global issues. This leads us to develop ad hoc solutions for clients with this type of need.

Can you give an update on the construction timelines for the new superyachts under construction? 

“As I was saying, the two vessels are proceeding quickly. As for the construction times, as you know, we did the keel laying of the Veloce 32 Rph in March, the hull is well advanced, almost almost finished, the blocks are being assembled at the moment and we expect to close the ongoing negotiations as soon as possible, in particular for the construction we are doing, to be able to complete it, because after the hull everything else will be needed and, obviously, we are waiting for the customer to be able to complete and customize it.

Ditto for the Explorer Bow Sprit; It stopped a bit over the months due to defense & security production emergencies and above all because we had negotiations with some customers who had requested changes to the bow and stern, so we kept production on hold – it's no secret – waiting to understand how to proceed. This unit also has the blocks under construction which are proceeding quickly and we expect, by the autumn, to have the complete hull of the Explorer as well.. "

A couple of years then to see them in the water?

“Delivery times for both are expected around 2024 if everything goes as planned: the Veloce 32 Rph first half of 2024 and Explorer Bow Sprit for the second half of 2024. As mentioned, we have various negotiations underway, curiosity is generating in the market, we are supported by excellent brokers who work with us for the sale of boats.”

Let's mention them publicly… 

“We have Floating Life for Veloce 32 Rph, as central agency, and another broker that we will announce in the coming months, which is currently reserved for contractual reasons. 

Instead, as far as Explorer is concerned At the moment the central agency is Camper & Nicholson, although expansion into new markets such as the United States, Florida and the Middle East is planned, linking us to local brokers.”

Despite the many economic and environmental uncertainties, is Cantiere Navale Vittoria operating at full capacity?

“Despite the times of crisis, employment is stable. I wouldn't say there has been a decline, but naturally there have been difficulties related to the price of raw materials in recent months, which was inevitable. We're trying to adapt to the market; fortunately, we're keeping our workforce active, our resources, who continue to work tirelessly on defense & security vessels and yachts. We've never stopped production in all these months, only briefly with Covid, but we've always kept working.

In terms of size, how long could you build superyachts with the current production facility in Adria?

“The current production plant imposes clear limitations on us; we are on a canal and not directly on the sea, so we have physical and structural limitations linked to the presence of bridges (there are 5 bridges before the sea, 2 of which cannot be opened) so we are limited especially in height. When we produce vessels, be they yachts or defence & security units, we have to dismantle the superstructure to allow passage under the bridge, a bit like what is done in Holland, so the physical length limit currently envisaged does not exceed 80 – 90 metres; and that is already a lot. We are preparing to build a vessel for the Italian Coast Guard in a temporary consortium The contract with Fincantieri was awarded a year ago, and if all goes well with costs and raw materials, we should begin construction this fall. It will be an 88-meter vessel. It is not a yacht, but it is still a very demanding construction, which will take place entirely in Adria.”

But you have an expansion plan for Vittoria Yachts in the North Adriatic, don't you?

As for yachts, the idea is, as we've always said, to split our operations between Adria and Monfalcone, which is where we'll have our future production area for the finalization of pleasure boats. The carpentry will be completely done in Adria, then the hulls will be transferred to Monfalcone for the completion of the interiors, painting, and plastering. There will also be a small yacht club where owners can visit and inspect the vessel throughout all its construction phases. Construction of the shipyard area has not yet begun, but will begin in the fall. Unfortunately, it has been slowed down due to bureaucratic issues related to state property procedures, which we hope to unblock as soon as possible. That's an area we're focusing on because, being right on the sea, it will allow us to have a different type of relationship with potential shipowners; not so much because Adria is in a geographically under-regarded area, but because Trieste and its entire gulf are more likely to attract shipowners.

In the best-case scenario, when could the new production plant in Monfalcone become operational?

"At best, I'd say the second half of 2023, because a multi-ton travel lift still needs to be installed, so work will hopefully proceed from the fall onwards. Therefore, it will take the necessary time to build the basics, and we'll be able to proceed in 2023, assuming there are no further critical bureaucratic procedures."

Looking at the merchant shipping business, particularly ferries, are there any other orders coming after the delivery to Navigazione Libera del Golfo?

"Of course, opportunities can be seized. They had already opened up even before the PNRR, because the ferry market, especially in the Gulf of Naples, is very thriving, thanks to the Aponte family, the family that commissioned the Jumbo Jet through Navigazione Libera del Golfo. They constantly need new vessels, so we've had some preliminary contacts that haven't been finalized yet. But it's certainly a type of vessel, a type of market we'd like to pursue and move forward with, because the Jumbo Jet, Naples' LNG vessel, has been very successful and has become the flagship in that area, capable of carrying up to 700 passengers. It has a much more modern speed and comfort capacity than the older ferries still in use there. Furthermore, We don't deny that we constantly monitor the Venice lagoon market; being very close to home, we have excellent relations with the Venetian municipal administration, and new tenders are constantly being announced. They're currently attempting to enter the hybrid or even electric vaporetto market, and if any opportunities arise, we'd be happy to collaborate again on those types of passenger vessels.

Nicola Capuzzo

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