Pietro Rossi, owner of Porto Rossi (M.E.C. Auto), has been nominated “Pioneer of the Nautical industry” for the year 2016 by UCINA Confindustria Nautica. The ceremony was held at the Venice Casino last week during the annual Satec Convention, and UCINA’s president Carla Demaria gave Pietro Rossi the award.
Pietro Rossi is considered one of the masters of leisure boating: he started his entrepreneurial activity in 1958 as exclusive dealer in the whole Province of Catania for Mercury and Mercruiser, selling Riva boats, Fiart, Tognacci, Ars Marine, Ilver, Sea Ray and Hellas.
In 1962 he took part in the very first edition of the Genoa Boat Show as exhibitor.
In 1964 he moved from Acireale to Catania, where he started construction for a centre for leisure boating, which soon becomes the second touristic port in Sicily. He also organized motorboat competitions, and he won the Sicilian 850 class.
In 2004 he was nominated Knight of the Order of the Italian Republic because he had been the youngest entrepreneur in the province of Catania.
Porto Rossi is one of the most beautiful and best organized structures in Sicily, it features 450 mooring (for boats ranging from 5 to 25 metres), of which 250 in the water, plenty of services including fuel station, workshop, rental, assistance and many more.
Sailing takes the lead
Silvia Chiarito
August 17, 2026
Industrial expansion, range development and a new flagship: Cantiere del Pardo’s sailing strategy takes shape with the Grand Soleil Plus 80.
