The boom of the Italian boating industry: Genoa leads a €5.5 billion sector

The production value of the Italian shipbuilding industry is estimated at between €5.4 and €5.5 billion in 2025, with growth of around +5% over the 2023–2025 period, bucking the global trend in recreational boating, which is expected to decline by -2.1% over the same timeframe. Approximately 70% of national production is linked to the large yacht and superyacht segment.

These are some of the key findings from the fourth edition of the report “The State of the Art of the Global Yachting Market”, produced by Deloitte, which confirms the strength and competitiveness of the Italian nautical sector. Despite difficulties being recorded globally in certain segments of small recreational boating, Italy continues to strengthen its position, consolidating its leadership in the high value-added superyacht sector.

Exports remain a strategic driver for the industry: Italy is among the world’s leading exporters of recreational vessels, with around 90% of production destined for international markets, 70% of which goes to non-EU countries. In 2024, the nautical sector accounted for 8.6% of Italy’s trade surplus, confirming its strategic importance for the national trade balance.

In this context, the role of the Genoa International Boat Show is central. In a global environment marked by economic and geopolitical complexity, the event continues to serve as a strategic platform for dialogue, development, and access to international markets. The Boat Show also represents an important opportunity for companies to access new tools supporting growth and capital strengthening.

The Italian nautical industry therefore continues to establish itself as a global excellence, while Genoa and the Boat Show represent a key reference point for supporting the sector’s development. The Genoese system, supported by advanced port infrastructure and a highly specialized industrial ecosystem, stands out as one of Europe’s leading hubs for the blue economy.

The presence of integrated expertise — from design and construction to dedicated services — makes the area particularly attractive for new investments, joint ventures, and high value-added industrial initiatives. In a global market showing signs of stabilization, the ability of the Italian nautical industry to grow and innovate represents a distinctive advantage for international investors. In this scenario, Genoa confirms its position at the center of the sector’s development dynamics, strengthening its role as a privileged gateway to the global yachting market.