Sailing Superyacht Forum: Italy dominates the market but lacks space and training at risk.

Genoa - The first edition of the Sailing Super Yacht Forum, conceived and organized by SUPER YACHT 24 to highlight superyacht sailing, a segment of excellence in the global nautical landscape, was held today at the Magazzini del Cotone. Before an audience of 200 industry professionals, Editor-in-Chief Nicola Capuzzo opened the event by leading a discussion that revealed the two sides of the industry: on the one hand, Italy's undisputed cultural and productive leadership; on the other, the urgency of addressing structural challenges that can no longer be postponed. From the discussions between industry professionals and institutions, the picture that emerged was that of a solid and innovative industry, yet one at a crossroads.

Opening the panel was Piero Formenti, president of Confindustria Nautica, who expressed a key concept: high-end luxury is no longer a niche, but a strategic asset for the country, which holds 50% of the global order book; the public support model must therefore evolve. According to Formenti, the era of simply participating in foreign trade shows is over and it's time to focus on incoming buyers, bringing them directly to Italy. The tools are there: global platforms like the Genoa Boat Show (which will move to October in 2026 to align with production cycles) and strategic partnerships like the one signed with the America's Cup, capable of creating a direct link between our supply chain and the world's most prestigious sailing competition, guaranteeing us unprecedented visibility. On the regulatory front, the President recalled the commitment to the "Maritime Resource Valorization" bill to reduce bureaucracy in the sector and the open dialogue with Customs and the Revenue Agency to make the Italian flag more competitive.

The sector's success, however, brings with it the challenge of production saturation. This issue was addressed by Bruno Guglielmini, CEO of Amico & Co, who described the Refit & Repair sector using the image of a "glass half full." While on the one hand, the fruits of thirty years of investment are being reaped, creating a hub of excellence in Genoa (80 companies with 3.150 direct and indirect employees), on the other, companies are forced to turn down orders due to lack of space. This lack of infrastructure risks losing market share to competitors like France, Spain, and Germany, countries with less expertise but more available space. This represents significant economic damage, considering that the related industries in the region are worth five times the order's turnover.

The crucial issue for the Port of Genoa remains the Port Master Plan. With five public docks and one private dock, the port is struggling to service modern megayachts. Matteo Paroli, president of the Western Ligurian Sea Port Authority, acknowledging the congestion, confirmed the Authority's intention to rationalize existing areas pending future expansion, citing the new breakwater and the restoration of docks at Molo Giano as prospective solutions. The president also promised businesses a clear timeline in the Authority's responses to avoid stalling investments.

Alongside docks, the other critical issue facing the sector is the lack of human capital. Liguria Region President Marco Bucci reiterated that the nautical industry is now one of the driving forces of the Blue Economy, often pioneering innovative technologies for the entire shipping industry. To support this growth, Bucci announced the establishment of the "School of Sea Professions": a Genoese project to preserve artisanal know-how, stimulate innovation, and bridge the gap.mismatch' between labor supply and demand. Mayor Silvia Salis echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need to restore dignity to manual trades, attracting workers from outside the city and region through retraining programs.

In closing, the technical analysis by Stefano Pagani Isnardi of the Confindustria Nautica Research Office painted a mixed picture. Despite the growth of new builds, sailing is seeing its market share shrink (from 9% to 6%), polarizing toward the very high-end segment and excluding the middle class due to inflation. But the real challenge, Pagani Isnardi said, is generational: with the average age of buyers rising and young people oriented towards charters, the sector must invest in maritime education to secure its future. He also noted in conclusion that every euro invested in sailing generates 7,5 euros across the entire supply chain, benefiting the community.

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