Cantieri di Pisa continues to grow in refits
Over 30 boats under construction and 134 metres in total length for the last three orders: a Benetti, a Perini Navi and a Feadship
Cantieri di Pisa continues to consolidate its position in the nautical sector, with a period of intense activity, particularly in its refit division. Over the past three years, this division, as the shipyard explains, has seen a significant increase in demand, culminating in an impressive increase in turnover, which for 2024 will be five times higher than the previous year.
Currently, over 30 yachts are under construction at the shipyard, including three superyachts from some of the world's leading shipyards: a 50-meter Benetti, a 41-meter Feadship, and a 43-meter sailing yacht by Perini Navi. They will soon be returned to their owners after some maintenance, including painting and class reinstatement.
The total length of the last three orders amounts to 134 meters, a measurement that demonstrates Cantieri di Pisa's ability to manage projects of great importance and complexity. Marco Massabò, CEO of Cantieri di Pisa, expressed his satisfaction with these results: "We are very proud of these recent orders. The refit division is growing both in terms of turnover, which is five times that of the previous year, and in terms of dedicated space. The area dedicated to refit within our perimeter now stands at 24.000 square meters, we employ approximately 20 people directly, with a dozen more soon to be added, and each project employs between 200 and 300 people."
The division, which uses proprietary equipment, including a trolley and a 300-ton travel lift, boasts among its strengths the close collaboration and direct communication between the Research and Development office and the captains. Like the custom section, the refit section benefits from Cantieri di Pisa's expertise in working with carbon fiber, fiberglass, steel, and aluminum using the 45° welding technique currently used in Northern Europe, the attention to craftsmanship in production, and, last but not least, "the prestige of a shipyard that has shaped the history of global yachting."
"Among the added values of the refit division, in addition to the company's extensive expertise, is the respect of the price agreed upon at the initial stage, despite the fact that in these types of operations, which often last months, conditions can change and it is necessary to reschedule or revise the work. Furthermore, clients perceive the efficiency and harmony between the various departments of the shipyard that has characterized the recent years of this company, where I have worked since 1999. This is confirmed not only by the number of orders, but also by the decision of geographically distant clients to rely on us despite the availability of closer companies," explained Umberto Nannola, Refit Manager at Cantieri di Pisa.
This is precisely what happened with the majestic sailing ship designed by Perini Navi, which arrived in Pisa via Claudio Simonazzi's Monaco-based company Simonazzi Yachts. To be transported to the Cantieri di Pisa facilities, the vessel had to undergo a dismasting operation to enter the Navicelli Canal. For the Benetti superyacht, the Ligurian company Yot, owned by Fortunato Di Marco and Alessandro Speziari, acted as intermediary.
Cantieri di Pisa is currently owned by Enrico Gennasio. Founded in Limite sull'Arno and relocated to the Darsena Pisana along the Navicelli Canal in 1956, the shipyard gained international renown for its innovative production, particularly the Akhir series, the first model of which was launched in 1970 in collaboration with Pierluigi Spadolini. From 1945 to 2012, Cantieri di Pisa built and delivered over 700 yachts. In 2021, Gennasio acquired the shipyard with the aim of fostering synergies between companies and renewing the nautical philosophy.
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