The Marche region is among Italy’s leading areas for shipbuilding. Marche’s presence is relevant, particularly in production for recreational boating and luxury cruises.
Activity in this area particularly grew between 2022 and 2023; in these years, sales from the sector exceeded €1 billion and also targeted the global market.
These are some of the takeaways from the presentation event of the macroeconomic research “Made in Marche”, which aimed to illustrate the current reality and creative trends in the maritime sector. The study was conducted by Marche Polytechnic University in collaboration with the Marche Yachting & Cruising Association, an organization established in 2021 to promote and develop the luxury shipbuilding supply chain.
A small but important region
Located in the central-eastern part of Italy and facing the Adriatic Sea, the Marche region has an area of about 93,400 sq.km and boasts a coastline of about 180 km.
The area is home to about 1.5 million inhabitants and nearly 140,000 companies, 94% of which are SMEs with fewer than 10 employees.
Marche’s annual GDP is around €40 billion. The regional capital and main port is Ancona, a city with a population of 100,000 and home to a major shipbuilding hub.
The Regional Council has recognized the shipbuilding industry as an important partner for economic growth, social development, international visibility, and tourist attractiveness.
This recognition demonstrates the region’s commitment to supporting the shipbuilding industry with the goals of attracting foreign investors, fostering technological innovation, promoting the transition to sustainability and reducing energy consumption, and ensuring ongoing professional training opportunities for both long-term industry workers and new recruits.
The Marche region is particularly distinguished by the presence of four universities and the Ancona International Airport, which is being renovated to boost its competitiveness.
This makes it a vital infrastructure for tourism and regional businesses operating in the worldwide market.
A vibrant and diverse production
Today, Italy ranks first among European Union countries in the boat-building sector in terms of the number of employees and turnover.
With more than 3,300 employees engaged in this area, Marche is among the most important regions for the Italian nautical sector.
Marche’s manufacturing is primarily focused on the construction of big luxury yachts ranging in length from 20 to 40 m and superyachts ranging from 40 to 80 m. There is no shortage of companies that specialize in maintenance and refitting.
20% of the boats sold are built of fiberglass and plastic, another 20% are metal, and 60% use both types of materials.
Local realities
Marche’s companies operate in different sectors, from those specializing in design and hull construction in metal or GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) to those engaged in pre-fitting, outfitting, mechanics and handling, navigation equipment, outfitting for entertainment activities, and exteriors.
About 80% of the companies’ activities are outsourced; outsourcing, often preferred to in-house production, is distributed among suppliers located both in the Marche region and the rest of Italy.
Suppliers
One of the main strengths of yacht and cruise manufacturing in the Marche region is the presence of a rich and diverse cluster of specialized suppliers to the industry.
This cluster contributes to flexibility in final production, a high level of customization, and the adoption of state-of-the-art technological solutions at all stages of production.
74% of sales from specialized suppliers are to companies in the leisure and cruise boating industry. Sales in the Marche, however, make up about one-third of the total.
This aspect is evidence of the competitiveness of such companies, which are able to operate in a much larger market both nationally and internationally. All this also contributes to the acquisition of information and expertise not only in the region, but in Italy and around the world.
Innovation, training, energy transition, and sustainability
“Despite the current difficult scenario, the marine industry is growing fast,” explained Donato Iacobucci, professor of Applied Economics at the Faculty of Engineering at Marche Polytechnic University.
“Analysts expect growth to continue in the coming years, between 5 and 10% depending on the area under consideration.”
Product and process innovation in the yachting and cruising industry will increasingly be driven by quality and sustainability.
“The presence of a cluster like the Marche region is important because it strengthens the innovation ecosystem,” Iacobucci said. “Through the cluster, the relationship with universities and regional governments in terms of support and direction in innovation processes is also being strengthened. Through collaboration between companies and the Marche Polytechnic University, a technical school aimed at innovation and the creation of new products for energy transition and sustainability will be created.”
Maurizio Minossi, president of the Marche & Yachting Cruising Association, highlighted the association’s ability, which now has about 30 members, to work together to create specific programs aimed at training young people, spreading knowledge about the area, interfacing with the Marche Region, and supporting companies also interested in internationalization.
| THE INDUSTRY OF SHIPS AND BOATS CONSTRUCTION IN THE MARCHE REGION | |||
| Employees in the building ship and boats (Nace 30.1) in Italy by regions – 2021 | |||
| Region | Employees | % | |
| Liguria | 5,306 | 18.2 | |
| Friuli Venezia Giulia | 4,750 | 16.3 | |
| Tuscany | 3,950 | 13.5 | |
| Brands | 3,309 | 11.3 | |
| Campania | 2,193 | 7.5 | |
| Veneto | 2,148 | 7.4 | |
| Lombardy | 1,704 | 5.8 | |
| Sicily | 1,455 | 5 | |
| Emilia Romagna | 1,438 | 4.9 | |
| Piedmont | 1,263 | 4.3 | |
| Latium | 582 | 2 | |
| Apulia | 498 | 1.7 |
Source: ISTAT, Permanent Census of Industry
| THE YACHTING INDUSTRY IN THE MARCHE REGION | ||
| TYPE OF PRODUCTS | % of sales | |
| Yachts | 67% | |
| Explorer yachts | 17% | |
| Others | 17% |
Source: Direct survey of MYC members
| THE YACHTING INDUSTRY IN THE MARCHE REGION | |||
| TYPE OF CONSTRUCTIONS | % of sales | ||
| Fiberglass/plastics | 20% | ||
| Metal | 20% | ||
| Both | 60% |
Source: Direct survey of MYC members
