Superyacht services and supplies: risks, innovations, and opportunities at the 6th SUPER YACHT Forum 24

(at this link all the images of the event)

Ancona – Service and innovation are one of the secrets to the development of the Marche nautical district and the Adriatic region more generally. This was explained by the speakers and several companies in the sector who participated in the 6th Forum organized by SUPER YACHT 24 in Ancona.

"Our sector," says Francesca Muzio of FM Architettura, "has always been an incubator of talent, and this region has always believed in the 'Se po' fa' (can do it) principle. I work in 16 countries and I identify with the Marche region in so many aspects. We need to know and promote what we know how to do, even if we often don't let people know. The new frontier is building boats to go to sea, returning to being sailors, focusing on the client before us, so that the boat is truly meant to go to sea." In short, not just beautiful boats, but also functional and suitable for those who spend a lot of time aboard.

The industry must now unite to address the legislation that will lead to the drafting of the Italian Passenger Yacht Code, envisaged by Ministerial Decree 133 of 2024, which came into force on October 21, 2024. "It is a tool," explained lawyer Giacomo Falsetta of the LCA law firm, "that applies to pleasure boats operated under the Italian flag for charter, with the aim of raising the level of safety in pleasure boating. And how does it do this? It does so by translating the safety criteria and standards established by international IMO regulations and conventions designed for merchant ships. A whole series of fundamental principles are enshrined." The text of the Code has yet to be written, so the goal will be to draft regulations through a system of implementing derogations and exemptions from the conventions. "Added to this instrument," commented attorney Falsetta, "is the ability for builders, refit yards, and shipowners to request alternative standards that ensure the safety standards established by the Code are met. Therefore, compared to a safety standard established by the Convention, this is incorporated into the Yacht Code standard and can be obtained through exemptions, provided that these guarantee a safety standard equivalent to the established one."

There are many cross-sections of Italy, particularly this region, that produce. Like AMS – Advanced Mechanical Solutions, a Marche-based company that produces mechanical components for superyachts. "Each product," said Francesco Pelizza, "is born from an innovative effort, not producing anything off the shelf or in series, yet collecting a dozen patents. For example, there's a lot of talk about carbon fiber even for superyachts, something that previously was only for sailing. We've created 3D-printed lights for installation onboard. Everything is designed in-house, using 3D software. Like the telescopic mast, produced about ten years ago: these are masts with navigation lights, which can be retracted inside the pole during the day to leave the deck clear. The customer was worried the mast might get scratched, so we invented an immersed washing system, so there are no particles that could scratch it. Innovation has always been the driving force of the world. We work in a sector where innovation is immediately usable, unlike aeronautics, where it takes a long time to be tested."

Vulkan Italia is also a pioneering innovator, having refitted an ACTV vaporetto in Venice, equipping it with a hybrid system to reduce emissions. "Starting from the design specifications," explained Gian Piero Repetti, "we faced many obstacles, but we managed to reduce emissions by 30%. In Venice, we purchased a boat to test the serial hybrid and parallel hybrid systems. There are fewer rules and specifications in the nautical industry than in commercial shipping, and this is a problem for us, because we operate according to specific standards, so we must always seek the best path. Another concern of the shipowners was reducing noise. Vulkan sought to interrupt the flow of vibrations along the transmissions to reduce the vibrations felt on board."

The lack of specific regulations was also criticized by Giorgio Gallo of Rina, who explained that "Every client has dedicated their efforts to something innovative, in fuels, in comfort, in the production of increasingly sustainable yachts. There is a proliferation of methods that are not beneficial to the sector; we need to find an effective solution and continue to develop it. Sooner or later, the IMO will also adopt emissions compensation payments for recreational boating. Each vessel will have to be able to demonstrate its level of sustainability."

Volvo Penta also weighed in on the topic of sustainability. "Italy is the world's leading market," said Andrea Piccione, "and Sweden (where the parent company is headquartered) sees us as a partner for developing a serious project. Innovation: after 120 years of producing diesel engines, we now need to offer hybrid and technological solutions. We're presenting an integrated platform for shipyards and captains that efficiently transforms any unit that installs it onboard. Transforming energy efficiently is a focus Volvo Penta is very clear about. We do this with a huge engineering commitment, in a sector where the numbers aren't that high. We've done it for ships and now we're doing it for pleasure craft. On the other hand, we encounter resistance from some to new technologies, believing that certain structures can't be changed. Like Volvo, we're also available to provide training in schools, with young students, and at naval engineering universities. Having information for those who will design future yachts in the coming years is crucial."

Calling for a generational transition were not only Andrea Piccione of Volvo Penta, but also Captain Gabriele Carniglia of A.Ma.di (the Association of Recreational Sailors). "We captains," Carniglia said, "are the custodians of the ultimate asset, which we must maintain as best as possible for safety and which must ensure that owners feel the comfort they paid for. We desperately need training, first and foremost ourselves, and then a generational shift. What this industry lacks are young people who can participate in the production process. As a recreational yachting association, we have joined forces to speak with the institutions, to provide structured communication to young people just leaving school, to introduce them to the essence of a yacht. Some young people seem bored; this process must begin, above all, in schools, and then be integrated with the industry."

The efforts of the institutions are also essential. "The recreational boating associations," the captain continued, "must unify to speak with one voice to the administrations, which must create clear pathways for accessing the world of work, for obtaining professional qualifications to start as maritime professionals. We are the custodians of the most luxurious goods in existence and, above all, of the people we bring on board. For me, having young people with a digital mindset is an absolute added value. The importance of young people must be highlighted while they still have time on their side, to understand which path to take." 

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