The future of the large-yacht industry in Trieste

Porto Vecchio could provide a major opportunity for the development of the large-yacht industry, with the possibility of creating a marina operating under free-port regulations, the only one of its kind in Europe. This was one of the prospects discussed today at the conference “SuperYacht: A New Market Segment for the Nautical Industry of Venezia Giulia”, organised by Barcolana and the Venezia Giulia Chamber of Commerce as part of Barcolana58 presented by Generali.

The discussion focused on Trieste’s potential to become a leading centre for the construction, refitting and berthing of sailing and motor yachts over 50 metres, building on the expertise and infrastructure already available locally. This is a rapidly growing market in which Italy accounts for 52% of global superyacht orders, with 568 of the 1,093 vessels currently under construction worldwide.

Participants included representatives from the shipbuilding, yacht design and marine industries, among them Gianluca Fenucci of Trieste Shipyards, Enrico Samer of Samer & Co. Shipping, Marino Quaiat of Quaiat Yard, Roberto Mento of NavalHEAD, yacht designer Maurizio Cossutti and sailor Andrea Tesei. The discussion highlighted the need to expand berthing facilities, infrastructure and services for large yachts, drawing on the city’s maritime heritage and its technical and scientific expertise.

“Trieste is Barcolana’s home, and Trieste must seize every opportunity offered by this market and industry, because it has all the capabilities needed, which must now be brought together more effectively,” emphasised Dean Bassi, Vice-President of Società Velica di Barcola e Grignano.

The conference was also attended by Sergio Emidio Bini, Friuli Venezia Giulia’s Regional Councillor for Productive Activities and Tourism, and Manlio Romanelli, a member of the Venezia Giulia Chamber of Commerce Board, who highlighted the potential of the nautical industry to support the region’s economic and tourism development.