Italy's boating industry posts modest growth for 2025
Italy's boating industry, covering boats, engines and equipment, turned over 8.72 billion euros in 2025, 1.4 percent more than the year before. Large yachts and exports drove the increase, while small boats declined for the second year running.
Market NAMMERT Assekuradeur GmbH
The figures were released on 30 September 2026 in Genoa by Confindustria Nautica, the Italian Marine Industry Association, on the preview day of the 66th Genoa International Boat Show. They come from its annual market study, Boating in Figures LOG, produced by the association's research department with Fondazione Edison. Total turnover from recreational craft, accessories and engines reached 8.72 billion euros, up 1.4 percent on 2024.
Exports rose 2.6 percent to 4.4 billion euros, another record. More than 32,000 people are directly employed in the industry, and the accessories and equipment segment accounted for 2.03 billion euros of turnover.
The headline number hides a split. After years of double digit growth across the board, the association reports that inboard powered and high end boats are holding up, while outboard boats, inflatables and sailing boats contracted for a second consecutive year. Its head of research put it plainly: there is no longer a single market dynamic.
Italy matters well beyond its own coast. Italian yards build motor yachts for buyers across Europe, and Italian suppliers equip boats built elsewhere. A market that shrinks at the small end and grows at the top will in time change what is available new and in spares. The figures show the direction, not yet the size of that shift.
What this means for owners
Nothing in these numbers changes an insurance contract by itself. They are still worth noting for owners of motor yachts from Italian yards, inflatables, outboard boats and sailing yachts. Where a segment has shrunk for two years in a row, it is sensible to check that the sum insured reflects today's replacement value rather than the original purchase price, and to ask your own insurer how replacement value is assessed for your boat. In claims involving boats with parts from small production runs, the waiting time for parts often decides how long a repair takes. Keeping invoices and part numbers for equipment on file makes any claim easier to settle.
This paragraph is our view as an underwriting agency, not part of the news. What your own policy covers is written in your own terms; when in doubt, call us.
Where this comes from
- Salone Nautico Internazionale di Genova, Pressemitteilung der Confindustria Nautica vom 30.09.2026: Italian boating industry turnover hits new record of 8.72 billion euros in 2025
- Pressmare, 30.09.2026: Italian boating industry worth 8.7 billion euros (+1.4%)
The text above is our own. The sources listed supplied the facts and the figures, not the wording.