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Trends and opportunities Download PDF
The market
In spite of less than fovourable economic conditions, the marine industry in Italy has moved from strength to strength in recent years. Growth in both the pleasureboat and marina development sectors has been steady, as the Italian government is moving to foster a "pleasure-boating culture" by reducing inhibiting factors to private boat ownership, in addition to improving marina infrastructure.
With nearly 13,000 kilometres of waterways the Italian marine industry has maintained steady growth, with new boat sales increasing by 53 per cent between 2000 and 2003. Heavily influenced by luxury boats and the superyacht sector, it is the larges market in terms of value and the second largest pleasureboat market in the world.
Throughout Italy's waterways and along the coastline are 104 ports, marinas and small harbours, which offer approximately 130,000 moorings. Boat ownershop per capita is 1:66 and local production was valued at approximately A$4.5 billion in 2006; 18.3 per cent growth compared to 2005. In 2004 imports in the pleasureboat sector were up by 64 per cent from 2001, due in part to the fact that the annual turnover rate for boats is four per cent.
Thought most of the southern regions have easy access to the vast Italian coastline, boating is more concentrated in the northern and north-central regions. Motorboats far outweigh sailboats, comprising over 80 per cent of the total market. The most popular motoboats in sales terms are those shorter that 10cm or 32ft, and given approximately 40 per cent of local production is absorbed by the local market, the rest are imported from foreign firms.
With a significant lack of marina space (currently there are less than 40,000 moorings available for boats of greater than 10 metres), the government has committed to improving marina facilities and adding a further 30,000 places over the next five years. A network of an additional 50 marinas (40 in the south and 10 in the north) will be developed with the hope to increase tourism, boost the economy and enhance services for current boat owners.
In addition to having one of the largest pleasureboat industries in Europe, Italy is also a major port of call for cruise passengers. In 2004 Italy was the most popular European country of destination in the cruise sector.
Opportunities
Given the continued growth and positive outlool for the Italian marine industires, opportunities lie in the following sectors:
Further information
For further information and to discuss your specific export needs to this market contact our European marine specialists within our |
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