Mega focus in Italian marinas

The lust for superyachts is increasing worldwide, with 128 new giant yachts sold in 2021; 78% more than in 2020. Italy is the undisputed global leader in superyacht building, and Italians are increasingly determined to host these yachts at Italian marinas. Donatella Zucca reports

The research office of Confindustria Nautica and the Edison Foundation estimates that the 2022 turnover of the Italian nautical sector will exceed €7 billion. Around 530 superyachts will have been built, a little more than 49% of the total global order book and 70 more than in 2022. One out of every two yachts above 30m (98ft) is built in Italy and Italian designers and yards won the most accolades in the 2023 World Superyacht Awards.
Building such vessels and offering suitable places to moor them do not, however, dovetail. Despite best efforts in Italy’s broadly scattered 530+ marinas, as is the case elsewhere in the Mediterranean, legislative, bureaucratic and structural hurdles slow up opportunities for change forcing operators and institutions to take the initiative, especially in the central and upper Tyrrhenian Sea.
Perhaps driven by national pride for goods Made in Italy, operators move forward by creating nautical poles and expanding and refurbishing marinas to make room for vessels of 50m (164ft) in length. They are also aware that infrastructure for maintenance and refit needs to be in place alongside both temporary and permanent boat moorings and that special services and products are required year round for captains and crew; the putative owners of the large yachts.
A new megayacht district is, for example, emerging in Porto Marghera between docks and navigable canals in the historically industrial and commercial interior of Venice. Partners include Wider Shipyard, always a builder of large yachts and today 100% owned by W-Fin Srl, and Idromacchine, a leading company in the construction and maintenance of naval and offshore industrial plants. Wider is kick starting the new focus by building the 72m (236ft) steel and aluminium yacht “Moonflower” (due for delivery in 2025) at its 72,000m² (775,000ft²) yard.
This first step in the superyacht/Made in Italy hub complements the Venice Boat Show, which takes place in the Arsenal area – the engine of the city that has opened up large-scale nautical productions.
Other examples come from the Azimut Benetti Group. Giorgio Casareto, CEO of Azimut Benetti Lusben and responsible for the group’s marinas, continues in his quest to make Lusben, one of the best refit and repair yards, the very best in the country via its sites in Varazze (Liguria) and Viareggio and Livorno (Tuscany). The latter site is capable of working on Benetti-built gigayachts up to 120m (390ft) long thanks to an 18,000 tonne 180m (590ft) long floating dock, a 25-berth marina, yard space and a helipad.
Also notable is the company’s Marina del Porto Mediceo project, part of the large development plan for the entire Porta a Mare area.
The city of Genoa, also renowned for a world-leading boat show, plays a big part in the bid for superyacht business via Amico & Co, a refit and repair centre opening worldwide in the superyacht sector. The company has managed 1,230 projects in the last ten years, averages 135 projects per year and continues to expand by investing in new developments. It currently occupies over 65,000m² (700,000ft²) in the port of Genoa, offers expert concierge service to crew members that also benefits from an alliance with the yacht and ship agent Pesto Sea Group and new state-of-the-art facilities including a 4,000 tonne shiplift. The expansion in the Fiera di Genova dock is relatively recent and goes hand-in-hand with Amico & Co’s management of the megayacht marina there.
Moving towards Rome, we find the Marina Yachting project in the Old Port of Civitavecchia. This important development in welcoming large yachts, which promises 160 berths for vessels up to 150m (490ft) in length, is a joint venture between Port Mobility and Ports of Monaco. A private investment of around €24.6 million, it will change the look of the historic port of Civitavecchia, bringing luxury tourism, green spaces, futuristic structures and redeveloped and restored historic sites.
One of the main recent indicators of the superyacht trend comes in the form of a new package of services for custom megayachts launched by Rina, the Italian classification society that is also a leading partner in the design, construction and management of superyachts. The new product, called Rina Maxima, supports the realisation of projects in the safest and most efficient way via digital transformation and environmental awareness.
As noted previously, almost every major marina in Italy, is endeavouring – successfully or otherwise – to expand its berth offerings to super, mega or even giga yachts and, where possible, add related services. The ‘classics’ in the large yachting sector are no exception. Porto Cervo in Sardinia, for example, has expanded its superyacht berths to 100, and IGY Portisco Marina has allocated 41 of its 589 berths for vessels up to 90m (295ft).
Dedicated to large yachts from the outset, Marina Genova in Liguria has never stopped improving its offerings, and Porto Lotti and Porto Mirabello are both in continuous growth in terms of volume and services specific to superyachts.
In the heart of the Tyrrhenian Sea, Stabia Main Port marina, established in Castellamare di Stabia in 2016, has a hub capable of hosting yachts up to 250m (820ft) long and is now frequented by famous owners of huge vessels. For example, the 110m (360ft) yacht “Kaos” owned by Nancy Walton Lauerie, daughter of Bud Walton, business partner of the founder of Walmart.
Marina d’Arechi Port Village, also in Campania and on the border with the Amalfi coast, has moorings for yachts up to 60m (197ft) and some for 100m (330ft) in its 1,000-berth mix. It also features a 7,000m² (75,300ft²) shipyard and a 220-tonne boat hoist.
In Sicily, the project for the revamped Palermo waterfront includes infrastructure for maxi yachts; Marina di Riposto or Porto dell Etna is developing new berths for maxi yachts along its breakwater; and the Xifonio Tourist Port in Augusta is offering spaces for yachts up to 90m (295ft). The latter is an ambitious 254-berth project with a goal to become a large tourist port for pleasure boats with exclusive services and sophisticated shipyard offerings.
Marina di Loano in Liguria has berths up to 77m (253ft) within its 900 moorings and boats that carry out maintenance and repair operations directly inside the port. And, still in Liguria but on the border with France, Cala del Forte di Ventimiglia marina actively courts superyachts. Inaugurated in 2021 and operated by its owners Ports de Monaco, it offers high level services, 178 berths for vessels up to 70m (230ft) and beautiful architecture. No less important is its connection by sea to Port Hercule in Monaco, via a high-speed shuttle service with a 15-minute journey time.