Italian Boat and Ship Exports Top €10 Billion for First Time

Italian marine exports pass a new threshold

Italian boat and ship exports exceeded €10 billion for the first time in 2025, according to figures highlighted in SACE’s Focus on Blue Economy and Nautical report. The total was around 40% higher than in 2024, reflecting growth across several parts of the maritime and recreational-boat economy.

Cruise ships and recreational craft each generated about €4.4 billion of export sales. The wider sector includes nearly 1,000 companies and more than 168,000 employees, with annual added value estimated above €13 billion.

Large recreational craft continue to support export growth

Exports of recreational vessels over 24 metres rose 11%, underlining the importance of larger yachts to Italy’s international marine trade. Smaller craft below 7.5 metres also recorded sharp growth, while the intermediate-size category contracted compared with the previous year.

Italy’s nautical products account for about 1.6% of national goods exports and more than a quarter of European nautical exports. The country’s share of European recreational-boat exports is close to 30%, demonstrating how strongly yacht and boat production contributes to Italy’s wider manufacturing profile.

Superyacht supply chain benefits extend beyond shipyards

Export performance at the large-yacht end supports a network of design studios, equipment suppliers, interiors companies, engineering specialists and service businesses as well as the shipyards themselves. Growth in vessels over 24 metres therefore has implications for employment and investment well beyond final assembly.

The figures also provide context for the continuing concentration of large-yacht launches, new facilities and supplier activity in Italy. Maintaining export growth will depend on global demand, financing conditions and the competitiveness of the industrial ecosystem that supports Italian yacht construction.