ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT PIERO FORMENTI: “SIMPLIFICATION, COMPETITIVENESS AND INTERNATIONALISATION TO STRENGTHEN THE ITALIAN YACHTING INDUSTRY’S WORLD LEADERSHIP”
The Confindustria Nautica SATEC 2026 Convention opened yesterday at Borgo Egnazia, Brindisi, in the Southern Italian region of Apulia, with the first day of proceedings dedicated to the General Assembly of the Association’s member companies – a traditional opportunity to compare notes on the sector’s performance and development strategies for the Italian yachting industry.
In his opening report, Piero Formenti – President of Confindustria Nautica, the Italian Marine Industry Association – provided an overview of his first year in office, characterised by intensive institutional advocacy at both national and international levels, against a backdrop of profound geopolitical changes, shifts in the global trade balance and the accelerating pace of technological transformation.
“The first task we set ourselves,” Formenti emphasised, “was to safeguard the sector’s competitiveness and support its growth at a time when geo-economics has an ever-greater influence on industrial and commercial dynamics. The Italian boatbuilding industry continues to uphold its role as a flagship of Made in Italy excellence and an increasingly important tool in the country’s economic diplomacy“.
Among the key achievements of the Association’s work presented to the General Assembly, particular emphasis was placed on the approval of Italy’s recent Law dedicated to the enhancement of the sea as an essential resource, described by the President as “the most significant piece of legislation for the sector since the reform of the Italian Boating Code”. The measure introduces significant administrative simplification measures for boatbuilding, charter companies, sailing schools and recreational boaters, as well as new provisions to support competitiveness, safety and the development of the sector.
Formenti also highlighted Confindustria Nautica’s growing presence within key international bodies, its active monitoring of European regulations, and the Association’s commitment to sustainability, transition finance, legal compliance and market protection.
This includes the supply chain risk management project and the development ofthe Association’s Code of Conduct, carried out with the support of Ernst & Young, the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the General Command of the Guardia di Finanza (Italy’s customs and finance-related law enforcement), and the process of consolidating the Association’s ESG policies. Among the results achieved are the renewal of the ISO 20121 certification for the sustainable management of the Genoa International Boat Show, awarded for the second consecutive year, and the attainment of the UNI/PdR 125 certification for gender equality, achieved by both Confindustria Nautica and I Saloni Nautici.
The Assembly also focused its attention on the economic analysis of the sector, which continues to confirm the strategic role of the yachting industry at the heart of the national economy. The latest studies carried out by Confindustria Nautica’s Research Department highlight how Italian exports of recreational craft reached a new all-time high in 2025, approaching €4.4 billion, and how the sector generates over €13 billion in added value, employing approximately 168,000 people. The international leadership of the Italian boatbuilding industry is particularly evident in the superyacht segment, where Italy retains its world-leading position.
President Formenti also highlighted the central role of the Genoa International Boat Show, which is increasingly becoming a strategic platform for promoting Italian-made marine products, internationalisation and the development of business opportunities for the entire sector. The 2026 edition, scheduled for 1 – 6 October, will see increased support from the Italian Trade Agency in organising hosted foreign press and buyer programmes and efforts to open up to international markets.
During the General Assembly, the 2025 Financial Statements, presented by General Manager Marina Stella, were also unanimously approved. These summarise the positive performance of Confindustria Nautica’s advocacy work and the results achieved by the Association over the past financial year in support of the development of the Italian yachting industry.
“The 2025 Financial Statements approved by this General Assembly provide an overview of the Association’s economic and financial position, along with the value generated by the strategies and activities carried out in support of businesses and the sector, in accordance with the objectives set out in the Association’s statute” – commented Marina Stella, General Manager of Confindustria Nautica. “These 2025 Financial Statements, produced against a backdrop of structural instability, highlight a strengthening of the Association’s financial and economic framework, ensuring independence and stability for future projects, and show a positive trend in membership figures in terms of retention and growth of the membership base. The UNI/PDR125 certification on gender equality and the adoption of the MPR231/2001 organisational model represent two further significant achievements in terms of governance and organisational strategy, pursued in the interests of all members.”
The SATEC Convention continued into the evening with the 35th Boating Pioneer Awards ceremony, an accolade presented under the patronage of the Italian Ministry of Business and Made in Italy andwhich pays tribute to managers, designers, journalists and industry professionals who have made a decisive contribution to the growth of the Italian yachting sector. Today, Friday 5 June, the public session of the Convention will be dedicated to the conference “Global Winds and Digital Currents: The Future of the Yachting Industry. Industry scenarios and strategies to navigate an era of data and global tensions”, organised with the scientific support of The European House – Ambrosetti (TEHA Group). The event will bring together representatives from the institutional, industry and business worlds to analyse the impact of geopolitical shifts, digitalisation and artificial intelligence on the competitiveness of Italian yachting and manufacturing sectors.
