Alberto Amico: "We are determined to resolve the issue of non-EU crews, including through legal means."

Genoa - Alberto Amico, owner of Amico & Co, a refit yard and company that manages the nearby Waterfront Marina, was also present at the unveiling of the new Pier F at the Marina Fiera Genova. "The newly inaugurated facility is certainly consistent and in line with what we've developed, so it's a great step forward because it tends to standardize and raise the overall aesthetic level, as well as the level of service," he said of the Marina Fiera Genova's "neighbors."

The occasion was propitious for a request for an update on the topic of Time restrictions on the stay of non-EU crews in Italy. The implementation in Italy of a ruling by the European Court of Justice has modified the normal rules on the movement of seafarers, effectively limiting the stay of non-EU seafarers arriving by land or air to just 90 days to board a ship already in European waters.

Amico's comments on the matter: "Unfortunately, we're still far from a solution to the issue of non-EU sailors, and this is a great shame because now, in the run-up to the boat shows—especially the one in Monte Carlo—negative marketing against Italy, and especially against Genoa, continues, along with all the major international competitor cities like Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona, ​​La Ciotat, and Marseille, who go around saying, 'You can't go to Italy because they'll send your crews away, treating them like illegal immigrants after 90 days.' This is indeed a huge problem that is far from being solved and requires greater attention. We've been fighting for a year, together with Genova for Yachting and our lawyers, to secure a solution, but, alas, there's no end in sight."

At this point, is there nothing left to do but appeal to the next government, hoping it will be more sensitive? "Yes, but perhaps also through legal means. We hope there's a way to find a solution," is the response from the head of Amico & Co., who intends to accelerate the fight to eliminate this competitive disadvantage, especially compared to neighboring countries like France and Spain.

Amico is suffering a negative impact on both the shipyard's operations and the Waterfront Marina, given that financially "it would be doing well if it weren't for this crew problem, because many large boats have all left. Last September, we had so many requests that disappeared, and the boats that were here had to leave because of this crew problem; so it's a very real problem." Nonetheless, "as a shipyard, we're doing very well. We have so many requests because our reputation continues to grow, so on the one hand, the market situation is positive, as is our ability to stay on the market, but Italian bureaucracy is the negative aspect."

The permanence of non-EU crews is an issue that also limits new projects and investments: "Let's first resolve these issues, which I think are very important, and then we'll talk about new investments," Amico said.

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Amico's warning: "We must address restrictions on the permanence of non-EU crews in Italy."