Piero Formenti, President of Confindustria Nautica, on Primocanale: From ACTUAL Global Emissions (0.01%) to Record Employment and Exports.
“The ecological transition must be pragmatic; focusing solely on electric is a mistake.”
The Italian marine industry is often the victim of distorted narratives, perceived more through the lens of ideology than that of scientific and economic objectivity. Stepping in to clear the air was Piero Formenti, President of Confindustria Nautica, during an interview with Primocanale. Formenti presented a picture based on undeniable data, debunking false myths about the sector’s pollution and highlighting the specific weight of boating on the economy, employment, and “Made in Italy” exports.
Piero Formenti, the Marine Industry, and Sustainability: Real Data vs. Prejudices—Environmental Impact is Just 0.01%
The starting point of Piero Formenti’s analysis is the sector’s actual impact on the environment. According to data from the IMO (International Maritime Organization), global emissions produced by the recreational boating industry account for a mere 0.01% of the total.
Despite this infinitesimal impact, the sector is frequently the target of criticism and stringent regulations, such as the European ETS (Emissions Trading System). This system is negatively impacting the industry, forcing the EBI (European Boating Industry) to actively engage with the European Commission and Parliament. The tendency to want to “tax the rich” by targeting superyacht owners actually risks penalizing an entire production chain, ultimately hitting the most vulnerable working classes who depend on this industry for their livelihood.
Economic Leadership and the Export Boom
The numbers for the Italian marine industry describe a sector experiencing strong and steady growth. In 2022, the sector generated a turnover of 8.6 billion euros, producing a remarkable 13 billion euros in added value.
Italy confirms its status as a global maritime superpower thanks to a strong drive toward internationalization:
- About 90% of national production is destined for foreign markets.
- The most important target market for Italian exports is the United States.
- Italy holds the absolute global leadership in Superyacht construction, with 568 units under construction out of the 1,093 commissioned worldwide.
- Our country is also the world leader in the production of rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) and serves as an international benchmark for components and accessories.
Piero Formenti: Record Employment, the True Social Engine of Boating
The importance of the Italian marine industry is measured not only by turnover, but above all by its extraordinary capacity to create jobs. Currently, the sector employs 168,000 people.
The most astonishing figure, however, is the employment multiplier of 7.2. This means that for every single person directly hired in the Italian marine industry, 7.2 jobs are generated in the direct and indirect supply chain. This is the highest multiplier by far in Italy, equal to three times that of any other national production sector.
In light of these numbers, Formenti issued a strong warning to institutions: targeting profitable companies means destroying value and jobs. The President recalled the mistake made in the past by the Monti Government, whose punitive tax policies on the sector (“missing the mark”) caused the loss of 40,000 jobs, ultimately hurting workers rather than big capital.
Pragmatic Sustainability: Moving Beyond the “Electric-Only” Illusion
The marine industry does not use the 0.01% figure as an alibi; instead, it has been committed to developing sustainable solutions for years. Companies are focusing on:
- New production processes: The adoption of processes such as infusion and/or light RTM (a vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding process that reduces the amount of resin used) allows for a reduction in atmospheric emissions during manufacturing.
- Efficiency and weight reduction: Building lighter hulls allows fuel consumption to be slashed by 20–30%.
- Next-generation engines and a mix of energy sources: Heavy investments are being made in hybrids and hydrogen, with fuel cells now becoming much safer.
Piero Formenti sharply criticized the European approach that aims exclusively at electric power, calling it a grave mistake that has already damaged the European automotive industry to China’s benefit. Furthermore, a fundamental safety issue arises in boating: if an electric car stops due to a dead battery, you can pull over; if a boat stops in the open sea, it goes adrift, and the breakdown becomes a major safety risk. For this reason, the transition must be technologically neutral and embrace all renewable sources.
Piero Formenti: The Challenges of Logistics
Finally, Formenti highlighted the sector’s vulnerability to geopolitical and logistical dynamics. International crises (such as the one in the Strait of Hormuz) generate immediate increases in raw material costs. The latter arrive mainly by truck or by sea via container ships (which happen to be the most economical solution with the lowest ecological impact). Logistical price hikes, including those generated by the ETS directive on cargo ships, are inevitably passed down to the final user; a contraction in sales would, in turn, trigger severe risks for the sector’s workers.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions on the Marine Industry and Sustainability
How much does the global marine industry pollute?
According to IMO data cited by Confindustria Nautica, the entire global recreational boating industry produces just 0.01% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
What is the impact of boating on employment in Italy?
The sector employs 168,000 people and boasts an employment multiplier of 7.2: every new hire generates over 7 jobs in the supply chain, the highest figure in Italy.
What are the numbers for the Italian marine industry worldwide?
In 2022, Italy generated a turnover of 8.8 billion euros and exports 90% of its production (4.4 billion euros in exports in 2022). It is also the absolute world leader in Superyachts, building 568 units out of 1,093 global orders.
Who is Piero Formenti?
Piero Formenti is the President of Confindustria Nautica, the non-profit association that since 1967 has represented recreational boating industries and businesses, working for the development of the marine sector, promoting maritime culture, and fostering the growth of nautical tourism in Italy.
Sources and resources
| Source | Description |
| Piero Formenti, President of Confindustria Nautica Italiana | Statements made during his appearance |
| Primocanale | Ligurian news outlet |
| Primocanale YouTube Channel | Statements by Piero Formenti |
| Luca D’Ambrosio | Journalist and editor of this article |
