Studies on the nautical industry, exports, and sector competitiveness presented at the Sardinia Boat Show

The Italian nautical and shipbuilding industry, the strategic role of Sardinia, and the sector’s international growth prospects were at the center of the talk “The Maritime Republic: study on the nautical and shipbuilding industry in Italy and Sardinia”, promoted by the CIPNES Gallura/UniOlbia Research Center together with the nautical report by the Il Sole 24 Ore Research Center. The discussion was moderated by Mediaset journalist Roberta Floris.

Opening the panel was Guido Piga, Head of Communication and the CIPNES Gallura/UniOlbia Research Center, who introduced the concept of the “Maritime Republic,” describing Italy as an integrated industrial system in which the nautical and shipbuilding industries form a single major production supply chain. During his speech, he highlighted how Italy continues to play a central role on the international stage, confirming its position as Europe’s second industrial power also thanks to the growing importance of the nautical and shipbuilding industries.

Data presented by the CIPNES Gallura/UniOlbia Research Center show that Italy’s nautical and shipbuilding supply chain generated €14 billion in industrial production in 2024, with over €13.2 billion in total revenues and more than 32,000 employees in shipbuilding and nautical construction.

Particular attention was devoted to Italy’s leadership in superyachts and cruise ships. The study highlighted how Italy is currently the world’s leading hub for superyacht production, with Italian shipyards responsible for 63% of global projects and 61% of worldwide production. In the cruise sector, Fincantieri is building 7 out of the 13 cruise ships currently under construction globally, accounting for 54% of the world total.

During the panel, Aldo Carta, General Director of CIPNES Gallura and President of UniOlbia, underlined the growth path pursued over the years by the Consortium, increasingly focused on strengthening and promoting Sardinia’s regional nautical supply chains. Particular attention was given to the role of young people and university programs related to naval engineering, considered strategic for supporting the future growth of the sector. Carta also emphasized the value of the support provided by the Regione Sardegna and the institutional networking activities developed around the internationalization plan for Sardinia’s nautical supply chains.

During the meeting, data relating to Sardinia were also presented, showing that regional nautical production has reached €66 million, while Sardinian nautical exports in 2025 rose to €43.5 million, marking a 47% increase compared to the previous year.

On the subject of research, Stefania Vacca, Economic and Statistical Analyst at the Tagliacarne Research Center, emphasized the importance of data as a support tool for stakeholders, businesses, and institutions. During her speech, she also mentioned the recent European recognition obtained by the Tagliacarne Research Center as a research institution, a result that will allow access to Eurostat databases and further strengthen future analytical activities.

Andrea Gianotti, Head of the Il Sole 24 Ore Research Center, explored the figures relating to the Italian and international nautical industries, focusing on the increasing complexity of the supply chain and the increasingly central role of exports, innovation, and competitiveness.

The panel also featured contributions from Emiliano Briante, Partner and Head of Business & Policy Impact at TEH Ambrosetti, who provided an overview of the economic impact of professional nautical activities on local territories; Luciano Sale, Human Resources and Real Estate Director at Fincantieri; and Amedeo Teti, Head of the Market and Protection Department at the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, whose speech focused on Italy’s record performance in terms of value proposition before shifting attention to the system for attracting foreign investment.

During the talk, one of the central topics of tomorrow’s agenda was also previewed: the project dedicated to bio-methanol for the nautical industry, increasingly identified as a possible strategic driver for the sustainable development of the sector.