TRIESTE – Italy’s boating industry in 2025 is closing on a mixed picture: the superyacht segment remains on a positive track, charter posts very strong results, while production up to 24 metres and sales networks are going through a slowdown, with the first signs of a turnaround for the 2025/26 boating year.

This emerges from the forecast analysis presented by Confindustria Nautica at its annual General Assembly, prepared by the association’s Research Office on a significant sample of member companies.

Conducted in the first week of December, the survey captures performance over calendar year 2025 and sentiment for the current boating year. The figures confirm the picture already outlined in September with the “La Nautica in Cifre LOG” report: a sector that has moved beyond the exceptional post-pandemic growth phase and is entering a period of “normalisation”, with very different outcomes depending on product segment and channel.

In the superyacht segment, 2025 is described as positive: 50% of companies expect revenue growth compared with 2024 and 25% expect stability. The order book also confirms this resilience, with half of shipyards keeping their order book at the same level as 12 months ago and one quarter reporting an increase. Internationally, Boat International expects the total number of global orders to fall from 1,138 to 978 units, but with Italy’s share rising by almost three percentage points, to 53%. Italy thus strengthens its position as the world’s leading builder in the segment.

Production up to 24 metres—small craft and motorboats, sailing yachts and RIBs—shows a weaker picture. For calendar year 2025, 54% of the sample estimates a contraction in revenues, with declines ranging from -5% to more than -30%. 23% of companies expect stability and another 23% growth, replicating the situation already seen in 2024. Expectations for the 2025/26 boating year are more encouraging: 46% of businesses foresee growth, 31% stability and only 23% expect a further decline in turnover.

A similar shift is emerging for sales networks for pleasure craft. 2025 ends with negative indications for 62% of the sample and stability for the remaining 38%. However, forecasts for the current boating year improve markedly: the share of operators reporting negative prospects falls to 37%, while 50% expect stability and 13% anticipate a rebound in revenues. A sign that commercial dynamics may accompany—albeit with a few months’ delay—the gradual recovery in demand for small and mid-sized boats.

In the marine engines segment, 2025 shows a balanced distribution: 25% of companies expect revenue growth, 25% a decline and the remaining 50% stability. Sentiment for the 2025/26 boating year improves: those expecting stability remain at 50%, while the share forecasting growth rises to 37%. The portion anticipating a reduction in turnover decreases accordingly, pointing to a less punitive climate than that recorded over calendar year 2025.

Companies producing accessories and equipment present a highly varied picture, in line with the strong heterogeneity of products and end markets (superyachts, small boating, aftersales). For 2025, 40% of the sample reports substantial stability versus 2024, while the remaining 60% is split evenly: 30% expects revenue growth of up to +20% and 30% a reduction between -5% and -30%. Estimates for the 2025/26 boating year remain dispersed, but with one positive element: the responses indicating growth rise from 30% to 39%, signalling improving confidence.

A clearer trend emerges for leasing and charter, which closes 2025 with overall satisfactory results. 57% of companies report revenue growth, in some cases above +20%; 14% report stability and 29% a decline, in any case contained within -10%. Sentiment for the current boating year is very positive: 64% of respondents expect further volume growth, 29% to maintain current levels and only 7% foresee a possible decline. Charter therefore confirms itself as one of the most dynamic segments of Italy’s boating industry.

Overall, the picture confirms the indications from “La Nautica in Cifre LOG”: after the slowdown in 2024 and a still challenging 2025 for production under 24 metres and sales networks, signals gathered in recent months—starting from the autumn boat shows, including the 65th Genoa International Boat Show—suggest that the early signs of the recovery expected in 2026/2027 are already visible. New models, closer attention to owners’ changing needs, and the resilience of the superyacht and charter segments are fuelling renewed confidence. Forecasts for the current boating year, while still set against an unstable international backdrop, therefore appear encouraging for Italy’s marine industry supply chain.

The Members’ Assembly at Montecitorio and dialogue with institutions
The business outlook presented by Confindustria Nautica was at the heart of the annual Members’ Assembly held at Montecitorio, an opportunity for direct dialogue between companies and institutional representatives. The meeting confirmed growing political attention to the blue economy and the strategic role of recreational boating.
Opening the proceedings, President Piero Formenti highlighted the sector’s industrial value: in 2024, exports of recreational boating surpassed those of merchant shipbuilding, marking a historic record for turnover and employment. Formenti called for a shift in the public approach, asking for stronger coordination among administrations and real bureaucratic simplification to boost competitiveness and companies’ internationalisation. He also stressed the importance of the “DDL Valorizzazione Mare”, describing it as “very positive” for aligning Italy with European standards.

The Research Office’s assessments confirm that the signs of recovery seen at the autumn shows, including the 65th Genoa International Boat Show, are reflected in corporate sentiment. New models, attention to demand trends and the solid performance of large yachts are supporting a rebound in confidence, despite a complex global context.

Among the institutional speeches, Prof. Gabriele Natalizia offered a geopolitical reading linked to US strategies, highlighting a long-term trajectory towards the Indo-Pacific, which requires a structural transformation of Italian industrial supply chains. In other words, the international context calls for openness to trade but also for stronger domestic competitiveness—a point reiterated by the association and shared with Confindustria’s maritime and industrial cluster.

According to the Research Office, production under 24 metres will close 2025 in contraction for 54% of companies: for Formenti, a figure that makes it essential to support the domestic supply chain to preserve competitiveness and employment, alongside strengthening foreign markets. From this standpoint, the “DDL Valorizzazione Mare” is seen as an important tool to deliver simplification and regulatory certainty.

Institutional dialogue
During the day, representatives from Government and Parliament spoke, all agreeing on the need to simplify the regulatory framework and support a sector with a direct impact on the country’s economy.
Senate Vice President Licia Ronzulli described boating as “a sharp snapshot of Italian talent”, stressing the urgency of clear rules to compete on international markets and the central role of charter for the coastal economy. The Commander General of the Coast Guard, Admiral Sergio Liardo, echoed this, highlighting the Coast Guard’s role as an essential operational and administrative hub for the supply chain.
In a video message, the Minister for Enterprises and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso, recalled how the sector is affected by global dynamics and uncertainties linked to US tariffs, while assuring continuity in tools supporting competitiveness, including the new Transizione 5.0 plan.
Deputy Minister for Infrastructure Edoardo Rixi called boating “a sector in excellent health”, while stressing the need to curb regulatory proliferation and committing to support direct dialogue with the Ministry of Economy on dedicated measures.

2026 budget and the Association’s main results
In closing, the Members’ Assembly approved the 2026 draft budget. Director General Marina Stella highlighted a solid balance-sheet structure, an improvement in the economic and financial position, and growth in the membership base. The 2026 strategic plan aims to consolidate representation, services and project activities in support of the supply chain.

The main results achieved by the Association in 2025 were also recalled:
– partnerships with America’s Cup Events and initiatives on sea culture and nautical sports;
– an internationalisation plan with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ICE;
– strengthening of the Genoa International Boat Show, scheduled for 1–6 October 2026;
– cooperation protocols within Confindustria and with other associations;
– MIT regulatory updates on licences, safety equipment and professional qualifications;
– recognition of the Association and ISYBA as training bodies for yachting brokers;
– customs clarifications on temporary admission and foreign equipment on board.