Italian boating industry turnover hits record €8.72 billion in 2025

The Italian boating industry closed 2025 with record turnover of €8.72 billion, up 1.4% on 2024, according to Confindustria Nautica, the Italian Marine Industry Association. The association described an increasingly complex market, with the high-end segment and exports holding firm while the small-boat sector struggled for a second consecutive year.

The figures came from the new edition of Boating in Figures – LOG, the market analysis produced by Confindustria Nautica’s Research Department with Fondazione Edison and IULM COMAR, presented on 30 September 2026 at the Boating Economic Forecast during the 66th Genoa International Boat Show preview day.

Italian boatbuilding production reached €5.47 billion (+0.5%), with inboard-powered craft up 1.3%. After a difficult 2024, however, the segments most closely linked to smaller recreational craft – outboard-powered boats, inflatable boats and sailing boats – continued to struggle.

Direct employment rose by 3% to 32,420, while the wider supply chain accounted for around 170,000 jobs. The industry contributed €7.51 billion to Italian GDP, equivalent to 3.32‰ (per thousand) of national GDP.

Boatbuilding exports reached a record €4.4 billion, up 2.6%, giving Italy a 21.3% share of global exports. Italy again ranked first worldwide for superyacht orders, with 568 units, or 52% of the global total.

Marine accessories and equipment turnover reached €2.03 billion (+0.4%). Italian production in the segment rose to €1.54 billion (+0.5%), with exports accounting for 47%, a figure the association said demonstrated the ability of Italian component manufacturers to integrate into the production chains of international shipyards.

The association said the industry was entering a more complex and selective phase after a long expansionary cycle, with internationalisation, high-end leadership, specialised districts, innovation and skills remaining its main strengths.

As the PBR team can confirm, The 66th Genoa International Boat Show featured over 1,000 boats, 215 new models and 45 countries, with larger yachts, a new Blue Arena and stronger international outreach. In fact, in our estimation, Genoa 2026 was an absolutely outstanding show on every level

The 66th Genoa International Boat Show, organised by Confindustria Nautica – Italian Marine Industry Association, ran from 1 to 6 October 2026 with more than 1,000 boats, 215 new models and 45 countries from five continents represented. According to figures the association presented in Milan on 15 September, the in-water display area grew by 4%. Larger boats were a clear trend, with higher occupancy of the Yacht & Superyacht dock and the average size of the three largest boats in each segment up 14.1% on 2025, while the number of multihulls on display rose by 28%.

The new “Living Made in Italy” area on Quay H, developed with the support of the Italian Trade Agency, showcased Italian-built models over 24 metres and attracted yachts of 35 to 50 metres. Confindustria Nautica said the return to October dates was welcomed by the market and that the new venue was encouraging major players back to Genoa with larger models.

Housed in the new Palasport Pavilion and funded by Confindustria Nautica and the Italian Trade Agency, the Blue Arena was a first in the show’s 66-year history, designed to bring a wider and younger audience into boating. Its zones covered Start Boating, Start-ups & Innovation, Training and Boating Careers, World Sailing, and Maritime Military Institutions. Start Boating introduced visitors to boats with engines of up to 25hp and promoted the D1 boating licence, open to those aged 16 and over.

For 2026, the Italian Trade Agency (ICE) doubled its commitment to the show’s international visitor programme for buyers and foreign journalists, with attendees from 35 countries. TechTrade Days also returned for a second year on 1 and 2 October, putting more than 400 marine accessory and component brands in direct B2B contact with shipyards, designers and suppliers.

The FORUM26 conference programme covered topics from anti-money laundering regulations and tax to AI, cybersecurity and nautical tourism, including the 5th World Yachting Sustainability Forum. The Design Innovation Award, established in 2020, marked its 7th edition with an international jury chaired by Paolo Brescia, co-founder of OBR – Open Building Research. Winners were announced at a gala on Friday 2 October.