The Confindustria Nautica assembly signals further growth in the sector's turnover.
This year Italy has confirmed its world leadership in superyachts, has reached a historic record in shipbuilding production, that of the world's leading exporter and the growth of the supply chain also in terms of employment
The general meeting of Confindustria Nautica members was held in Rome at the headquarters of the Italian Banking Association (ABI). This event concluded a year rich in achievements and firsts. The world's leading nautical industry and its supply chain met with economic, political, and government institutions to discuss the most pressing economic and regulatory issues, not only for the sector.
In a statement, the association emphasized that 2022 was a record year for the nautical industry. Italy confirmed its absolute world leadership in superyachts, with 51% of the total. Global Order Book, the historic record of shipbuilding production (7,4 billion euros), that of the world's leading exporter (3,7 billion euros) and the growth of the supply chain which has seen the number of employees exceed 200 thousand, constantly growing since 2016.
The general meeting also provided an opportunity to present the results of the forecast survey on the sector's performance, conducted on a significant sample of member companies. Analyzing the preliminary results for the 2023 calendar year, the companies overwhelmingly report revenue growth compared to 2022, with indicators that suggest a decidedly positive end to the year for the Italian nautical industry as a whole: 78% of the sample expects an improvement or a close in line with the previous year.
Regarding sentiment for the 2023/2024 nautical year, one in two manufacturing companies indicates revenue growth. Overall, the situation confirms the qualitative indications emerging during the autumn boat shows, with a growing differentiation in revenue trends between high-end production, which continues to grow at a more moderate pace than in 2021-2022, and the smaller boating industry, which is facing a market contraction, largely driven by economic factors such as high inflation and rising interest rates.
Following the private session, with President Saverio Cecchi's report on the program's implementation status and the approval of the 2024 business plan, the public session was held in the afternoon with the talk "Nauticals: Industry, Politics, Economy." Following a welcome address from Confindustria Nautica President Saverio Cecchi, the roundtable opened with a video interview with ABI President Antonio Patuelli, focusing on macroeconomic scenarios. This was followed by remarks from Professor Renato Loiero, Economic Advisor to the Prime Minister; Professor Marco Fortis, economist and Vice President of the Edison Foundation; Simona Camerano, Head of Economic Scenarios at Cassa Depositi e Prestiti; and Nicola Porcari, Head of Structured Finance at Bper Banca.
The session dedicated to politics and institutions saw speeches by members of the Chamber of Deputies, Ilaria Cavo, Vice President of the Productive Activities Committee, Deborah Bergamini, Foreign and Community Affairs Committee, and Gerolamo Cangiano, Transport Committee, the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Edoardo Rixi, the Minister of Civil Protection and Maritime Policies, and Nello Musumeci.
Saverio Cecchi, president of Confindustria Nautica, said: "At the Genoa International Boat Show, we had an unprecedented presence from the government, which I had reminded us that we needed to move from listening to attention and then action. Therefore, today I thank Minister Urso and Deputy Minister Rixi and their bodies for the first important regulatory responses on training (qualifications decree), transition (engine scrapping), and the market (vessel navigation). And with a view to concrete action, I renew my request to Minister Musumeci to include a representative of the nautical industry on the panel of 10 experts responsible for updating the Marine Plan, because it wasn't included in the original draft, and the nautical industry has played a marginal role in maritime tourism."
Regarding regulatory initiatives currently underway, mention was made of the reform of professional qualifications, the establishment of a fund for scrapping engines and purchasing electric propulsion systems by 2024, the seven-day issuance of navigation licenses for new vessels, regulations encouraging the circulation of recreational vessels even in foreign territorial waters (the Made in Italy Bill), and the Revenue Agency Circular regarding the application of the Southern Italy Credit to leased vessels.
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE FREE SUPER YACHT 24 NEWSLETTER
Record turnover of 7,3 billion and global export leadership for the Italian nautical industry
Azimut Benetti still in first place in the Global Order Book of yachts
