Italian Marine Industry Association elects new president and outlines key milestones
The Italian Marine Industry Association has elected Piero Formenti president of the national trade association for a four-year term running 2025 to 2029.
Formenti received 94.4 per cent consensus, equal to a total of 15,622 votes.
In his inaugural speech, the new Italian Marine Industry Association president said the defining guidelines would be “participation”, “regulations”, and a “unifying purpose”.
In his speech, Formenti said: “As the first-ever president to represent the small boating industry, believe me when I say: we must go beyond any sense of separate identity. Instead, we must affirm—first and foremost—the strength, visibility, and appeal that the large marine Industry brings to our entire supply chain. This sector holds a particular responsibility: to uphold ethical standards and to promote a strong, forward-thinking business culture. I call on the large industry to participate as fully as possible in the life of our association.
“Around such a powerful core, it is our duty to promote the great value of our entire supply chain – from engines to components and equipment, dedicated services, charters, sales networks – all of which must also be supported with tailored promotional initiatives. This is undoubtedly one of the many strong points that define our association, an unwavering chain, each link of which contributes to the system’s common value.”
The association highlights that a strong industrial system is a condition necessary in order to operate effectively in an international context that is by no means simple. And it is for this very reason that there was no lack or delay in listening to and interacting with European Institutions, a clear confirmation, it says, of the fruitful dialogue that exists with the government, the customs and monopolies agency, the Italian Trade Agency, and the General Command of Italian Harbour Offices, the sole exception being “the silence of the Italian Revenue Agency with regards to leasing, a silence that over the past two years has become deafening, to say the least,” remarked Formenti.
Formenti says: “I warmly congratulate Prime Minister Meloni for having successfully brought the America’s Cup event to Naples, an achievement so great it simultaneously supports the boating industry, sports, and the Italian south.”
The new president made closing remarks regarding what he described as “the most delicate and urgent issue: training. The Italian Marine Industry Association intends to provide with renewed commitment the professional training opportunities that the sector offers to young people and to find new ways of training specialised workers, while always continuing to promote maritime and boating culture.”
During the association members’ public assembly – with the participation of Daniela Santanchè, Italy’s minister for tourism, Edoardo Rixi, deputy minister for infrastructures and transport, Ricardo Rigillo, chief of the minister’s office for sea policy, and Mario Zanetti, the Confederation of Italian Industry’s delegate for the marine economy – six milestones were outlined that will make up the 2025-2029 boating industry plan.
The six milestones comprise: tourism’s role in the industry and linked activities, sustainable technological innovation and transition, protection of the ‘Made in Italy’ brand and market surveillance, regulatory simplification and fiscal competitiveness, sea culture, as well as training opportunities – which will be developed over the next few months by the association’s sector assemblies.
Santanchè says: “The boating industry plays a central role in the relaunch of Italy’s tourism sector. For 2024 there will be confirmation of a 2 per cent growth in moorings, with positive forecasts for 2025 (+2.9 per cent permanent, +3.2 per cent transit). The sector generates €8.3 billion in turnover and, considering all associated activities, more than 210,000 jobs, confirming the industry as one of the absolute excellences of the Made in Italy industry. We have launched dedicated interventions focused on the redevelopment of marinas, the strengthening of digital connectivity, and the integration of services via apps, and we are working to make boating more accessible and more sustainable, promoting international events such as the America’s Cup in Naples in 2027, an event that can make the difference, not only for south of Italy, but for the entire nation as a whole.”
Zanetti comments: “The sea is a strategic asset for Italy. The marine economy is worth more than 10 per cent of GDP and employs more than one million people. Thanks to the establishment of the Italian Ministry for Sea Policy, there is now an opportunity to develop a dedicated industrial policy. Upgrading infrastructure, training skills and regulatory simplification are all effective triggers for development. In boating, as in the commercial sector, we need to streamline the Italian flag. On 15 July a position paper will be presented with concrete proposals to strengthen the entire cluster.”
The general council approved the lineup of the association vice presidents, with three new appointments and one continuation, two of which were already sector presidents.
There are two new delegation areas, professional training and sea culture, entrusted to Vincenzo Poerio (CEO of Tankoa Yachts), and development of southern Italy and special economic zones, added to the internationalisation area, delegated to Dr.Marco Monsurrò (CEO of Coelmo); the European representation area will be expanded to include national legislation and entrusted to Dr.Fabio Planamente (partner and board member of Cantiere del Pardo). The promotion of Made in Italy production and business networks is delegated to Dr.Alessandro Gianneschi (CEO of Gianneschi Pumps and Blowers), who will also be taking over association development.
In addition, Marco Valle (managing director Azimut Yachts) has also been directly appointed by the president to complete the general council, along with Dr.Marco Cappeddu (European Union Office – Fincantieri S.p.A.), who was entrusted with the ESG objectives project, ecological transition and raw materials area.
Rixi says: “The boating sector is experiencing a revitalisation phase thanks to important regulatory and administrative measures. Among the main results are the new D1 licence, the simplified professional title for chartering, and the strengthening of the national telematic register. Widespread digitalisation and a keen European harmonisation process have already been launched, with the aim of simplifying boating unit management. Work is also being carried out to recover port areas for boating activities and the creation of new berths, particularly in underserved areas. The Genoa International Boat Show continues to play a central role as a strategic event at an international level. Promoting the sector among younger generations and simplifying regulations to encourage the use of the Italian flag are also key priorities.”
