“The boating and shipbuilding sector [identified by Ateco code 30.1] has faced a positive period of development and is maintaining a growth trend that peaked in the two-year period 2022–2023,” Valentina Giannini, professor at the Università Politecnica delle Marche, department of Information Engineering (DII), explains. In the Marche region, the number of employees engages more than 10,000 people. The sector of the Marche shipyards, a national ‘flagship’ in the construction of large boats, such as yachts and super yachts, has a large supply chain, which involves not only the Marche but also other regions.”
The turnover of the boating and shipbuilding industry in the Marche region exceeded 1 billion euros, thanks mainly to exports, which account for more than 90% of sales.
In 2023, exports related to the Marche’s shipbuilding industry exceeded 1 billion; the figure is also significant because at the national level, the export share rose to nearly 9 billion in the same year. Subsequently, there was a decline in exports; from 9 billion exports fell to about 7 billion at the national level; Marche, which follows the Italian trend, also experienced a decline, but the trend is still positive and higher than the pre-Covid phase.
The need to diversify
“Marche, being a small region, had a more noticeable growth than Italy in the two-year period 2022/23, so the current downturn in relation to exports for Marche is more visible than the national trend, but the trend remains positive,” comments Valentina Giannini.
“In analyzing the current scenario, the economic situation and geopolitical context must also be considered, which affect both the boating industry and the entire economy. Important, for a sector as internationalized and export-oriented as boating, is to consolidate strategic foreign partnerships and diversify alliances, given that part of the geographic area where exports take place is outside the EU. Determinant, therefore, is to diversify; strategic is not to focus on one country; for example, in 2024, the value for exports to the United States had a reduction. It should also not be forgotten that the shipbuilding sector is special because a yacht purchased in one country does not always stay there.”
Encouraging refitting and nautical tourism
During the conference, great attention was paid to the issue of landings. The Marche region, with its 180 km of coastline, is aiming for the development of 7 ports to boost both refitting and NAUTICAL TOURISM ADRIATIC. The potential for LARGE YACHT moorings is between 123 and 164 for yachts from 30 to over 80 m, with a short-term availability of 61 moorings for yachts from 30 to 80 m.
A report by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport showed that in 2018, out of the 5,300 berths in the Marche region, only 1.2% were for yachts larger than 24 m. Even today, SUPERyACHTBERTHS are a tiny fraction.
“From a technical maritime point of view, seven maritime ports in the Marche region have been analyzed,” says Sara Corvaro, professor at Marche Polytechnic University, in the field of hydraulic and maritime construction, Department of Civil Engineering, Construction and Architecture (DICEA). “There are also 3 other ports that can be considered minor marinas, in the Conero and San Bartolo areas, with a predominantly touristic character, much used in summer periods, but not suitable for large yachts.
The 7 ports considered were chosen by evaluating the available water space and the width of access channels and from inland channels to allow safe navigation and maneuvering, while also analyzing the functional availability of docks, important features for mooring large yachts.”
Difficulties in the assessment
The assessment also considered channel depths, additional access characteristics, and potential maneuvers required to reach the dock and moorings.
“This is a rough assessment,” comments Sara Corvaro, “because it would be necessary to check as well the forcings of wave currents, water levels, winds, to be sure that a berth is safe and one can stay on the boat comfortably, since among the users of large yachts there are also those who like to stop at a marina and stay on board. One of the biggest difficulties in the research involved having the actual water depth available; we estimated it based on our experience and by talking to mayors, operators and the port system authority. In fact, one of the factors affecting the ability to accommodate large yachts is the draft (the distance between the waterline and the lower end of the hull). Tidal excursions, the wave agitation that is greatest at the mouth, must also be considered. More in-depth evaluations could also lead to considering the possible silting of the mouth and the harbor basin.”
The potential for LARGEYACHT berths, based on the information gathered, is between 123 and 164 for boats from 30 to over 80 m. However, these numbers do not take into account the availability of dockside services that large yachts need such as water and light. A fuel dock should also be provided. More advanced marinas have them, so investment could be made to give users these services where they are lacking.
Adequate space and skilled labor
Additional important issues are the need to make adequate space available for boat building and also to ensure skilled labor to improve infrastructure in the Marche region.
“Some berths identified as suitable for accommodating large yachts, after further evaluation, may turn out to be unsuitable for investment due to the problem of lack of land space,” says Sara Corvaro.
“Regarding services, it is estimated that for a marina, space in the water should be from 55% of the space on land. Of course, many of the ports in the Marche region have different characteristics; not all are purely tourist ports, some also have commercial, industrial, fishing functions, and therefore spaces should also be shared with those dedicated to these activities. A marina should also have a part dedicated to parking and nautical clubs such as Yacht Clubs that may manage sports (sailing, fishing, etc.) or other activities. Clearly, industrial or commercial ports need more space on land because they need to allow for more functionality, including for example shipbuilding or merchant shipping. Indispensable in these cases is to evaluate where to invest.”
Also based on feasible investments, the Marche Yachting and Cruising Association has projected the construction of 60 new berths in the region.
“It is important to consider the entire supply chain, the value chain around it and the services it goes to reinforce, fostering and consolidating the presence of these vessels in our ports,” adds Valentina Giannini.
Training, a key element
Regarding training, Italy is a leader, surpassed only by the Netherlands in terms of human capital specialization. Of note is the commitment of the Marche Polytechnic University, which offers courses related to boating.
“An industry of excellence, to function well, needs trained and specialized human capital,” Giannini points out. “Also important is the preparation of the entire supply chain, because shipbuilding also does a lot of outsourcing and relies on specialized and competent suppliers. It is decisive to encourage training both at the university level, with degree courses focused on boat building, and in other areas, for example in ITS, which offer postgraduate specialization courses. Skilled workers are also needed; it is a job that requires dedication and skills. Therefore, hand in hand with the university, it is important to also make available pathways to train skilled people on particular activities and innovations.”
An association to promote dialogue and collaboration
A key role in fostering and consolidating the yachting industry is played by the Marche Yachting & Cruising Association, which was established in 2021 to promote and develop the shipbuilding industry for luxury ships and yachts in the Marche region of Italy.
“This association,” says Valentina Giannini, “has fostered awareness of a sector relevant to our region, but also to Italy in general. Associations of this kind are important because they listen and amplify the voices of individual companies and foster collaboration between suppliers and operators throughout the territory. Even at the port level, people need to work together, to achieve common economic goals. What is important is that there is synergy, that strategic partnerships between shipyards and specialized suppliers in the area are strengthened.”
Sara Corvaro adds: “The assessment of the mooring potential for large yachts was requested by Marche Yachting and Cruising partly because in the Marche region, despite being a leading LUXURY YACHTING MARCHE region, there are very few SUPER yACHT BERTHS. As a result, one must equip oneself. Often, owners of large yachts who come to Marche to refit feel the need to stay in the area for a while. The potential exists but is not always adequately exploited, considering that the Mediterranean is a popular destination for owners of large yachts. In recent years, LUXURY tourism on the Adriatic side is becoming much stronger. In this scenario, Marche can become a leading region within a network to enhance NAUTICAL TOURISM ADRIATIC in neighbouring regions as well.”
