Boating, Italia bucking global downturn

The global nautical newbuilding market is down: after expanding in the post-Covid period, between 2023 and 2025 it has stabilised, averaging -2.1% per annum (CAGR) and settling at EUR 33.3 billion (with -3% between 2023 and 2024 and -1% in 2025 over 2024). The Italian shipbuilding industry, on the other hand, is bucking the global trend and registers an annual average of +5% in the period 2023-2025 (with +9% between 2023 and 2024 and a range between zero and +2% in 2025 over the previous year). Around 70% of Italy's production value, moreover, is attributable to large yachts and superyachts, which confirms the specialisation of the Italian shipbuilding industry in the high segment of the market. Italia, therefore, is the global leader in new orders for superyachts: it registers a volume growth, in the period 2020-2025, of +1.3% CAGR, compared to -2.1% globally, and represents 62% of new orders worldwide in 2025.

These data emerge from the fourth edition of The State of the art of the global yachting market, the report realised by Deloitte in cooperation with Confindustria nautica and presented yesterday at the headquarters of the Italian Stock Exchange. "The study," emphasises Piero Formenti, president of the Confindustria association, "confirms the resilience and competitive capacity of the Italian yachting industry in a complex and constantly evolving international context. While, at a global level, we observe a normalisation of growth and greater difficulties for some segments of the small nautical sector, Italia continues to strengthen its position, registering better results than the world market in the collection of orders and consolidating its leadership in the high value-added superyacht sector".

The study states that, globally, "the entry-level and mid-size segments have slowed down, while large yachts have confirmed greater structural resilience. In 2024, the inboard-engined segment further consolidated its relevance, reaching 59% of the global market, while outboard and sailing were 33% and 8% respectively. Geographically, North America and Europe maintained their centrality, together accounting for 75% of the value of the global new boat market".

The global superyacht orderbook stood at 677 units in 2025, with the 30-40 metre segment accounting for 45% of the total, the 40-60 metre segment around 40%, and the 60-metre+ segment the remaining 15%. During 2025, the report observes a slowdown in order intake, but with a demand mix oriented towards the 50-metre+ segment, which marks a polarisation of demand towards the top end of the market.

As far as the Italian shipbuilding industry is concerned, the value of production is estimated in the study at between EUR 5.4 and 5.5 billion in 2025 (Cagr 2023-2025 +5%, as mentioned above). The inboard segment dominates, with 93% of national production (versus 56% globally). Exports, moreover, remain a strategic lever in the sector: Italia is one of the world's leading exporters of pleasure boats, with about 90% of national production destined for international markets, 70% of which to non-EU countries. Stefano Pagani, director of the Confindustria nautica (Italian Boating Industry Confederation) study office, explained that, as at December 2025, Italy's pleasure boat exports reached €4.38 billion, or +2.6% over 2024. However, due to tariffs, boat exports to the USA are down -22% (data processed with Fondazione Edison).