In the Marche region, the nautical district is growing faster than Italy
20/07/2026
Ancona – The Marche region's nautical industry continues to strengthen its position within the Italian shipbuilding and pleasure boat industry. This is according to data presented by Donato Iacobucci, professor at the Polytechnic University of Marche, as part of a tour organized by Marche Yachting & Cruising (MYC), the cluster that brings together shipyards, suppliers, and operators in the regional supply chain for the international nautical press. The analysis captures a rapidly expanding sector, set against a national backdrop that sees Italy consolidate its European leadership in ship and boat construction. In 2024, the Italian sector employed 38,228 people, the highest in the European Union, ahead of France with 37,542 and Germany with 23,680. Compared to 2021, Italian employment has grown by over 6,000; France and Italy are the only major European countries to have recorded significant and sustained growth in recent years.
Italy is currently the leading European country in terms of the number of workers employed in shipbuilding and boats. The growth seen in recent years demonstrates the competitiveness of the national system and the driving role of the highest value-added segments.
Alongside employment, economic growth is also evident. The Italian sector's overall turnover reached €13.6 billion, ahead of France's €11.6 billion and Germany's €10.8 billion. Even more significant is the productivity figure: with €357,000 in turnover per employee, Italy surpasses France's €310,000, though it remains far behind the Netherlands, which achieves €780,000 per employee thanks to its strong specialization in very high-value production. In this scenario, the Marche region occupies a leading position. With 3,989 workers in 2023, the region accounts for 11.3% of the sector's national employment and ranks fourth in Italy behind Liguria, Tuscany, and Friuli Venezia Giulia. This is a significant achievement considering the region's territorial size and the presence of over 200 local units active in shipbuilding and boatbuilding.
The most interesting data, however, concerns the growth dynamics. Over the past ten years, the sector's workforce in Italy has increased by 50%, while in the Marche region, employment has almost doubled. This growth is significantly higher than the national average, demonstrating the region's ability to attract investment and consolidate skills.
The explanation lies primarily in the district's manufacturing specialization. Marche companies operate primarily in the luxury yacht segments between 20 and 40 meters and superyachts between 40 and 80 meters, as well as in maintenance and refitting. These are the market segments that have shown the highest growth rates in recent years and continue to benefit from sustained international demand.
The strength of the supply chain is therefore one of the district's key competitive factors. This factor is particularly important during a period of growing global demand for large yachts and cruise ships.
Link in bio >https://www.industriaitaliana.it/a-ravenna-nasce-il-nuovo-polo-ambientale-di-eni-e-hera-100-milioni-per-rigenerazione-industriale-ed-economia-circolare/
