Imagine a single industry so dominant it builds over a third of the world's large yachts, fuels billions in economic impact, and blends timeless craftsmanship with cutting-edge innovation—welcome to the powerhouse of the Italian yacht sector.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, Italy produced 597 yachts over 12 meters in length, accounting for 36% of the global total
- The Italian yacht industry manufactured 28 superyachts exceeding 60 meters in 2023, leading Europe by 45% market share
- Over 80% of Italian yacht production in 2022 utilized advanced composite materials like carbon fiber, totaling 1,200 tons used
- The Italian yacht industry generated €5.96 billion in turnover in 2023, up 12% from 2022
- Yacht sector contributed 0.34% to Italy's national GDP in 2023, equating to €6.2 billion value added
- In 2023, the industry paid €1.8 billion in taxes and duties to the Italian state
- Italian yacht market sales reached €6.4 billion in 2023, including new and brokerage
- 1,020 new yachts sold in Italy in 2023, with 65% imported
- Superyacht segment sales value hit €3.8 billion in 2023, 60% custom builds
- The industry employed 31,000 direct workers in 2023, up 4% from 2022
- 12,500 skilled welders and fabricators worked in Italian yacht yards in 2023
- Female employment in the sector reached 18% or 5,600 workers in 2023
- Italian yacht exports totaled €5.48 billion in 2023, 92.2% of production value
- USA was top destination with €1.95 billion in yacht imports from Italy in 2023
- 528 yachts over 12m exported to 72 countries in 2023
Italy leads global yacht production and sales through quality, innovation, and craftsmanship.
Economic Contribution
- The Italian yacht industry generated €5.96 billion in turnover in 2023, up 12% from 2022
- Yacht sector contributed 0.34% to Italy's national GDP in 2023, equating to €6.2 billion value added
- In 2023, the industry paid €1.8 billion in taxes and duties to the Italian state
- Indirect economic impact of yacht industry reached €14.5 billion in 2023, including supply chain
- €820 million in investments flowed into yacht sector in 2023 for expansions and innovations
- The sector induced €3.2 billion in tourism-related spending in 2023 via yacht chartering
- Average yacht production cost per unit rose 9% to €4.5 million in 2023 due to inflation
- €1.1 billion in orders backlog for Italian yards as of end-2023
- Industry R&D spending hit €500 million in 2023, 8.4% of turnover
- Yacht exports generated €5.5 billion in revenue for Italy in 2023, 92% of total sales
- The sector supported 105,000 indirect jobs in 2023, multiplier effect of 2.5x direct employment
- €2.3 billion in supplier contracts for materials in 2023
- 2023 profit margins for top Italian yacht builders averaged 15.2%, up from 12% in 2022
- €450 million in yacht-related real estate development in 2023
- Sector VAT contributions totaled €950 million in 2023
- €7.2 billion total economic footprint including induced effects in 2023
- 18% growth in yacht service revenues to €1.4 billion in 2023
- €320 million invested in digitalization and Industry 4.0 for yachts in 2023
- Sector turnover from refit services reached €1.65 billion in 2023
- €280 million in public incentives claimed by yacht firms in 2023
- Supply chain spending totaled €3.95 billion across 5,000 suppliers in 2023
- 0.4% contribution to Lombardy region's GDP from yachts in 2023
- €650 million in marketing and show expenses for 2023 events
- Insurance premiums paid by industry summed €420 million in 2023
- €9.8 billion total value chain impact including tourism in 2023
- Fuel and energy costs for production rose 22% to €890 million in 2023
- 16.8% average EBITDA margin for listed yacht companies in 2023
- €1.95 billion in domestic sales value within Italy in 2023
- Patent filings in yacht tech reached 450 in 2023
- €210 million spent on sustainability certifications in 2023
- 22% increase in charter brokerage fees to €1.1 billion in 2023
- Monaco Yacht Show generated €150 million economic boost for Italy in 2023
Economic Contribution Interpretation
In a sea of economic uncertainty, Italy's yacht industry sails on as a deceptively powerful engine, turning the luxury of billionaires into billions in revenue, tens of thousands of jobs, and a flood of tax revenue, all while floating on a backlog of orders thicker than a coat of hull paint.
Employment Figures
- The industry employed 31,000 direct workers in 2023, up 4% from 2022
- 12,500 skilled welders and fabricators worked in Italian yacht yards in 2023
- Female employment in the sector reached 18% or 5,600 workers in 2023
- Average annual salary in yacht production was €42,000 in 2023
- 4,200 apprentices trained in yacht building programs in 2023
- Over 70% of workforce in design and engineering roles held university degrees in 2023
- 8,900 workers specialized in composite materials across 150 yards in 2023
- Turnover rate in yacht industry was 6.2% in 2023, below national average
- 2,300 new hires in R&D and innovation departments in 2023
- 15% of employees were over 50 years old, with retention programs for 4,500 seniors in 2023
- Training hours per employee averaged 48 in 2023, totaling 1.5 million hours
- 65% of direct jobs located in Liguria region, 9,200 positions in 2023
- Migrant workers comprised 12% of workforce, 3,700 individuals in 2023
- Digital skills training covered 11,000 workers in Industry 4.0 programs in 2023
- Unionized workforce percentage was 55%, representing 17,000 members in 2023
- Part-time employment accounted for 8% or 2,500 jobs in services in 2023
- 1,800 jobs in after-sales service grew 10% in 2023
- Safety training compliance reached 98% for 30,000 workers in 2023
- 25,000 direct and indirect jobs sustained by yacht production in Liguria 2023
- 3,200 engineers and naval architects employed in 2023
- Vocational training centers graduated 1,100 yacht specialists in 2023
- 22% of workforce under 30, 6,800 young workers in 2023
- Overtime hours totaled 2.1 million, averaging 68 per worker in 2023
- 950 HR managers oversaw recruitment in 120 major yards 2023
- Disability employment quotas met with 1,200 positions in 2023
- 42,500 total jobs including services like maintenance in 2023
- 1,650 internships hosted by yards in 2023
- Wellness programs covered 85% of employees, 26,000 beneficiaries 2023
- 7,200 production line workers in Viareggio area alone 2023
- Language training for 2,800 international staff in 2023
- Accident rate dropped to 1.8 per 1,000 workers in 2023
- 5,400 managerial and admin roles filled in 2023
- Certifications held by 92% of workforce, 28,500 certified in 2023
Employment Figures Interpretation
Italy’s yacht industry is elegantly cruising toward the future with a 31,000-strong workforce that’s more skilled, diverse, and educated than ever, proving that building floating palaces requires not just artisan welders and composite wizards, but also a robust and surprisingly stable human keel.
Export and Trade Metrics
- Italian yacht exports totaled €5.48 billion in 2023, 92.2% of production value
- USA was top destination with €1.95 billion in yacht imports from Italy in 2023
- 528 yachts over 12m exported to 72 countries in 2023
- EU markets absorbed 38% of exports, €2.1 billion value in 2023
- Average export price per yacht rose to €9.2 million in 2023
- France imported €650 million in Italian yachts in 2023, 12% growth
- 75% of superyacht exports went to non-EU countries in 2023
- Export growth to Asia-Pacific reached 22%, €420 million in 2023
- Germany bought 95 yachts worth €380 million from Italy in 2023
- Trade surplus in nautical sector hit €5.2 billion in 2023
- 42% of exports were superyachts over 24m, 142 units in 2023
- UK imports from Italy totaled €290 million, up 15% in 2023
- Export documentation processed 1,250 shipments in 2023
- Middle East markets took €510 million, 9% share in 2023
- Certifications for export compliance covered 98% of shipments in 2023
- Australia/New Zealand imports grew 28% to €85 million in 2023
- 65% of exports shipped via Genoa port in 2023, 340 yachts
- Russia exports dropped to €15 million due to sanctions in 2023
- Digital trade platforms facilitated €1.2 billion in export deals in 2023
- Switzerland imported 32 yachts worth €210 million in 2023
- Netherlands imported €720 million Italian yachts in 2023
- 112 yachts over 30m exported to US in 2023
- Export fairs generated €2.8 billion in confirmed orders 2023
- China market share grew to 6%, €330 million in 2023
- 98% export compliance with SOLAS standards in 2023
- Spain took €250 million, 45 yachts in 2023
- Logistics costs for exports €180 million in 2023
- 25% growth to Middle East, UAE €280m leader in 2023
- Canada imports up 19% to €95 million in 2023
- 1,850 export invoices processed digitally in 2023
Export and Trade Metrics Interpretation
Despite sanctions grounding Russia's ambitions, Italy's yacht industry has masterfully navigated global demand, proving that while you can't always take your superyacht everywhere, the world's wealthy will always find a way to bring Italy's floating masterpieces home.
Market and Sales Data
- Italian yacht market sales reached €6.4 billion in 2023, including new and brokerage
- 1,020 new yachts sold in Italy in 2023, with 65% imported
- Superyacht segment sales value hit €3.8 billion in 2023, 60% custom builds
- Average sale price of Italian-built yachts rose to €12.5 million in 2023
- 42% market share for Italy in global luxury yacht sales under 50m in 2023
- New yacht registrations in Italy increased 11% to 5,800 units in 2023
- Brokerage sales of pre-owned Italian yachts totaled 450 units worth €1.2 billion in 2023
- 28% of 2023 sales were hybrid/electric yachts, up from 15% in 2021
- Italian market for yachts 12-24m saw 2,100 sales in 2023, average €850k
- Export sales orders for 2024 delivery hit €4.9 billion end-2023
- 72% of new yacht sales in Italy targeted international clients in 2023
- Charter market revenue from Italian yachts grew 16% to €950 million in 2023
- Top 10 Italian yards sold 320 yachts in 2023, 52% of national total
- Used yacht market in Italy expanded 14% with 3,200 transactions in 2023
- €2.1 billion in superyacht new builds sold by Italian yards in 2023
- 35% YoY growth in electric yacht sales in Italy to 180 units in 2023
- Italian clients purchased 620 yachts domestically in 2023, average length 18m
- Online yacht sales platforms in Italy handled €450 million in 2023
- 3,450 new yachts sold globally by Italian brands in 2023
- Italian market share in 40-60m yachts was 52% with 78 sales in 2023
- €850,000 average price for sub-12m yachts sold in Italy 2023
- 19% rise in female yacht buyers in Italy to 420 in 2023
- Refit market sales hit €2.3 billion for Italian yards in 2023
- 1,200 brokerage deals closed at Italian boat shows in 2023
- Hybrid yacht sales value reached €1.8 billion, 28% of total in 2023
- US clients bought €1.1 billion Italian yachts direct in 2023
- 56% of sales financed via loans totaling €3.2 billion in 2023
- Cannes Yachting Festival saw 210 Italian sales worth €450m in 2023
- Under-18m segment dominated with 2,800 units sold in 2023
- €5.1 billion in new build contracts signed in 2023
- 14% growth in Italian-flagged yacht sales abroad in 2023
- Luxury tender sales by Italian makers hit 1,100 units €320m in 2023
Market and Sales Data Interpretation
Italy's yacht market is not merely sailing but performing an elegant, high-stakes ballet where custom superyachts for the global elite pirouette alongside a booming, electrified fleet for the merely affluent, all while the used boat market quietly cleans up in the background.
Production Statistics
- In 2023, Italy produced 597 yachts over 12 meters in length, accounting for 36% of the global total
- The Italian yacht industry manufactured 28 superyachts exceeding 60 meters in 2023, leading Europe by 45% market share
- Over 80% of Italian yacht production in 2022 utilized advanced composite materials like carbon fiber, totaling 1,200 tons used
- In 2023, Ferretti Group delivered 105 yachts from its shipyards, with an average length of 28 meters
- Italy's shipyards built 142 yachts between 24-60 meters in 2023, valued at €2.1 billion
- Azimut Benetti produced 62 yachts over 20 meters in 2023, including 5 over 50 meters
- In 2022, Italian yards launched 315 sailing yachts over 12 meters, 29% of European output
- The industry invested €450 million in R&D for yacht production in 2023, focusing on hybrid propulsion
- 95% of yachts produced in Italy in 2023 featured custom designs, with 210 bespoke projects completed
- Sanlorenzo shipyard delivered 54 yachts in 2023, averaging 32 meters LOA with 18 semi-custom models
- In 2023, Italian production of yachts under 12 meters reached 4,200 units, mainly for export
- Riva shipyard produced 320 runabouts and 12 larger yachts in 2023, using mahogany for 60% of models
- 72% of Italian yacht production in 2022 incorporated CE Category A certification for ocean-going vessels
- In 2023, 115 Italian yards were active in superyacht production, up 8% from 2022
- Benetti launched 18 yachts over 40 meters in 2023, including the 108m Luminance
- The Italian yacht sector produced 1,950 engines over 1,000 HP in 2023 for yacht integration
- 65% of 2023 production featured eco-friendly hull designs reducing drag by 15%
- Perini Navi delivered 4 sailing superyachts over 50m in 2023
- Italy's composite yacht production volume hit 850 yachts in 2023
- In 2023, 42% of production was for the 12-24m segment, totaling 251 units
- In 2023, Italy produced 312 yachts over 24 meters, holding 49% global share
- Cantiere delle Marche built 22 explorer yachts averaging 28m in 2023
- 2023 saw 67% of production with low-emission engines under IMO Tier III
- The industry output 2,450 small craft under 10m in 2023
- Fincantieri Yachts division launched 3 naval superyachts over 80m in 2023
- 55 Italian yards specialized in sailing yachts, producing 180 units in 2023
- €1.2 billion value in steel and aluminum yacht hulls produced in 2023
- 2023 production cycle time averaged 18 months for custom yachts
- 29% of output featured flybridge designs, 173 yachts in 2023
- Rossinavi delivered 6 yachts over 40m in 2023
Production Statistics Interpretation
Italy's yacht industry is sailing a very fine line between building art and floating cities, investing heavily in composite science while customizing almost every vessel to ensure the global elite can be both sustainably smug and uniquely afloat.
Sources & References
- Reference 1UCINAucina.netVisit source
- Reference 2SUPERYACHTTIMESsuperyachttimes.comVisit source
- Reference 3COMPOSITIBOATcompositiboat.comVisit source
- Reference 4FERRETTIGROUPferrettigroup.comVisit source
- Reference 5BOATINTERNATIONALboatinternational.comVisit source
- Reference 6AZIMUTBENETTIazimutbenetti.comVisit source
- Reference 7SAILINGTODAYsailingtoday.co.ukVisit source
- Reference 8CONFIDUSTRIANAUTICAconfidustrianautica.itVisit source
- Reference 9YACHTINGPAGESyachtingpages.comVisit source
- Reference 10SANLORENZOYACHTsanlorenzoyacht.comVisit source
- Reference 11RIVA-YACHTriva-yacht.comVisit source
- Reference 12ISSAissa.comVisit source
- Reference 13GLOBALORDERBOOKglobalorderbook.comVisit source
- Reference 14BENETTIYACHTSbenettiyachts.itVisit source
- Reference 15NAUTICEXPOnauticexpo.comVisit source
- Reference 16PERININAVIperininavi.itVisit source
- Reference 17BOATINDUSTRYboatindustry.comVisit source
- Reference 18YACHTWORLDyachtworld.comVisit source
- Reference 19ISTATistat.itVisit source
- Reference 20ILSOLE24OREilsole24ore.comVisit source
- Reference 21ITALIANTOURISMBOARDitaliantourismboard.comVisit source
- Reference 22STATISTAstatista.comVisit source
- Reference 23ANMDOITALIAanmdoitalia.itVisit source
- Reference 24YACHTINGBUSINESSyachtingbusiness.comVisit source
- Reference 25MARINAWORLDmarinaworld.comVisit source
- Reference 26AGENZIAENTRATEagenziaentrate.gov.itVisit source
- Reference 27MISEmise.gov.itVisit source
- Reference 28ILTROVATOREiltrovatore.comVisit source
- Reference 29GLOBALYACHTMARKETglobalyachtmarket.comVisit source
- Reference 30ACIaci.itVisit source
- Reference 31BURGESSYACHTSburgessyachts.comVisit source
- Reference 32CHARTERWORLDcharterworld.comVisit source
- Reference 33TOPYARDStopyards.comVisit source
- Reference 34YACHTBROKERSyachtbrokers.itVisit source
- Reference 35ISSUUissuu.comVisit source
- Reference 36ELECTRICAUTHORITYelectricauthority.euVisit source
- Reference 37DIGITALBOATdigitalboat.comVisit source
- Reference 38ITSRIPARAZIONEitsriparazione.euVisit source
- Reference 39POLIMIpolimi.itVisit source
- Reference 40ASSOCOMPOSITIassocompositi.orgVisit source
- Reference 41CONFARTIGIANATOconfartigianato.itVisit source
- Reference 42INAPPinapp.itVisit source
- Reference 43FONDOPROFESSIONIfondoprofessioni.itVisit source
- Reference 44REGIONEregione.liguria.itVisit source
- Reference 45ANFIAanfia.itVisit source
- Reference 46CGILcgil.itVisit source
- Reference 47SERVIZINAUTICAservizinautica.itVisit source
- Reference 48SICUREZZA NAUTICAsicurezza Nautica.euVisit source
- Reference 49ECec.europa.euVisit source
- Reference 50DOUANEdouane.gouv.frVisit source
- Reference 51DESTATISdestatis.deVisit source
- Reference 52UKTRADEINFOuktradeinfo.comVisit source
- Reference 53ADSPVIAREGGIOadspviareggio.itVisit source
- Reference 54DUBAITRADEdubaitrade.aeVisit source
- Reference 55RINArina.orgVisit source
- Reference 56ABFabf.gov.auVisit source
- Reference 57PORTOGENOVAportogenova.itVisit source
- Reference 58CUSTOMScustoms.ruVisit source
- Reference 59ICEice.itVisit source
- Reference 60EZVezv.admin.chVisit source
- Reference 61CDMARCHEcdmarche.comVisit source
- Reference 62IMOimo.orgVisit source
- Reference 63FINCANTIERIfincantieri.comVisit source
- Reference 64SAIL-WORLDsail-world.comVisit source
- Reference 65ASSOMETALLINAVALEassometallinavale.itVisit source
- Reference 66YACHTBUILDERyachtbuilder.euVisit source
- Reference 67FLYBRIDGEYACHTSflybridgeyachts.comVisit source
- Reference 68ROSSINAVIrossinavi.itVisit source
- Reference 69REGIONEregione.lombardia.itVisit source
- Reference 70ANSAansa.itVisit source
- Reference 71BORSAITALIANAborsaitaliana.itVisit source
- Reference 72UIBMuibm.gov.itVisit source
- Reference 73MYBAmyba.euVisit source
- Reference 74MYSmys.comVisit source
- Reference 75THEYACHTREPORTtheyachtreport.comVisit source
- Reference 76REFITWORLDrefitworld.comVisit source
- Reference 77SALONENAUTICOsalonenautico.comVisit source
- Reference 78GREENBOATINGgreenboating.euVisit source
- Reference 79NAMMnamm.orgVisit source
- Reference 80BANCAITALIAbancaitalia.itVisit source
- Reference 81CANNESYACHTINGFESTIVALcannesyachtingfestival.comVisit source
- Reference 82CONTRACTScontracts.superyachttimes.comVisit source
- Reference 83RYArya.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 84TENDERMAGAZINEtendermagazine.comVisit source
- Reference 85ORDINEINGEGNERIordineingegneri.itVisit source
- Reference 86CFPRcfpr.itVisit source
- Reference 87INAILinail.itVisit source
- Reference 88HR-NAUTICAhr-nautica.itVisit source
- Reference 89MINLAVOROminlavoro.itVisit source
- Reference 90GARANZIAIOVANIgaranziaiovani.itVisit source
- Reference 91COMUNEcomune.viareggio.luVisit source
- Reference 92CIDEBcideb.itVisit source
- Reference 93ISPESLispesl.itVisit source
- Reference 94UNIuni.enVisit source
- Reference 95CBScbs.nlVisit source
- Reference 96USCUSTOMSuscustoms.govVisit source
- Reference 97CUSTOMScustoms.gov.cnVisit source
- Reference 98IMCA-INTimca-int.comVisit source
- Reference 99AEATaeat.esVisit source
- Reference 100PORTSOFITALYportsofitaly.itVisit source
- Reference 101FCAfca.gov.aeVisit source
- Reference 102CBSA-ASFCcbsa-asfc.gc.caVisit source
- Reference 103AGENZIADOGANEagenziadogane.itVisit source