Confindustria Nautica on CO2 reduction: ensuring competition in research and investment is essential

Speaking at the panel discussion organized by Confindustria President Bonomi and Vice President Lo Russo and titled "Beyond the Horizon: Prospects and Challenges of a New Industrial Policy for the Sea," Saverio Cecchi, President of Confindustria Nautica, emphasized that the recreational boating industry, its production chain, and the nautical tourism industry represent an extraordinary lever for revitalizing the country's competitiveness, as well as that of the European Union more generally.

Speaking specifically during the "Building the Future" panel, Cecchi noted how the title itself fits very well with the industry's data: "Unlike all other sectors in the maritime cluster, we hold 51% of the global market for pleasure boat construction and are leaders in accessories and inflatable boats. Therefore, the future of global boating is written by Italy."

Although according to official data from the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the global shipping industry accounts for only 0,06% of total CO2 emissions, the Italian industry is also a leader in designing their reduction and a sustainable future with new hull shapes aimed at reducing fuel consumption, new propulsion systems in line with emissions reductions, the increasing use of recycled or recyclable materials, and the use of biocompatible hull paints.

“The Italian nautical industry does all this because it believes that the statistically insignificant impact and very limited lifespan of a pleasure boat mean it cannot avoid making its own contribution,” Cecchi continued.

For this reason, the Italian National Nautical Association organized the first Global Forum for the Sustainability of the Nautical Industry, where companies could engage with other sectors to borrow and share solutions and technologies, combining all this with craftsmanship, finishing, design, and quality.

Cecchi, emphasizing the need to avoid propaganda on these issues and affirm two truths, concluded: "It's necessary to foster competition in research as well, avoiding the mistake Europe made in the automotive sector, imposing a single solution from above: electric propulsion. Then, we must ensure the framework conditions that allow for the many investments that are necessary."

Confindustria Nautica then emphasizes in its statement that the regulatory framework is crucial: "The rules of the game, however, must be adapted to take into account the sector's numbers, the need to attract capital, and the need to modernize infrastructure."

"Italy," the association explains, "has chosen to have tourist ports built by private individuals, unlike other countries and our own commercial ports, which are instead the result of public intervention. Therefore, we must be wary of ideological choices like those of Monti, which scare away investors. Therefore, for example, the issue of state concessions for tourist ports cannot be treated superficially and with clichés—as the press too often does—or by equating tourist ports with beaches, as the Draghi government's measures have done."

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