Italian Yachting Turnover Hits €8.72bn as Superyachts Take 52% of Global Orders

Italy’s boating industry reached a new record turnover of €8.72 billion in 2025, according to figures released by Confindustria Nautica ahead of the Genoa International Boat Show. The data underline the continued strength of the high-end market, with Italy accounting for 568 superyacht orders, equal to 52% of the global total.

Turnover reached a new all-time high in 2025

Confindustria Nautica says total turnover across recreational craft, accessories and engines rose 1.4% year on year to €8.72 billion. Direct employment increased by 3% to 32,420 people, while the wider boating supply chain supports around 170,000 jobs.

The association cautions that the headline figure masks increasingly different conditions across market segments. High-end boatbuilding and superyacht supply activity remained resilient, while smaller recreational craft categories faced a second consecutive year of weaker demand.

Exports climbed to €4.4 billion

Boatbuilding exports reached a record €4.4 billion in 2025, up 2.6%, and represented 90% of Italian boatbuilding production. Italy’s share of global recreational craft exports stood at 21.3%, reinforcing the industry’s heavy dependence on international markets.

Confindustria Nautica says that export strength is supported by a network of specialised production districts, particularly across the Northern Mediterranean corridor between Liguria and Tuscany. That region accounts for more than half of national boatbuilding turnover.

Italy retained global leadership in superyacht orders

The strongest indicator for the superyacht sector is Italy’s continued dominance of the global orderbook. The association recorded 568 Italian-built superyacht orders, representing 52% of the worldwide total.

That position reflects both the scale of Italian shipyards and the depth of the supplier ecosystem supporting large-yacht construction. Equipment and accessories generated €2.03 billion in turnover, with exports accounting for 47% of Italian production in that segment.

The market is entering a more selective phase

Confindustria Nautica describes the market as more complex and selective after several years of broad double-digit expansion. Innovation, skilled labour, internationalisation and continued investment in specialised production are identified as central to maintaining competitiveness.

For the superyacht sector, the figures point to continued strength at the top end even as the wider boating market becomes less uniform. The data were released during the Boating Economic Forecast ahead of the 66th Genoa International Boat Show.

Official sources: confindustrianautica.net.