It’s almost time: the curtain is about to rise on the new permanent test center of The International Yachting Media at Marina Porto Antico in Genoa. A unique initiative that combines the rigor of hands-on testing with the power of international communication, turning Genoa into a permanent hub for yachting innovation.
The test center, which will be officially inaugurated on Saturday, September 27, was presented at the Teatro del Mare during the opening day of the 2025 Genoa Boat Show, on September 18. On stage with Luca D’Ambrosio, founder of The International Yachting Media, were Andrea Barbagelata, President of Marina Porto Antico, Alessandro Conti, General Manager of Mercury Marine, Fabio Montemitro, Sales Director of Scanner Marine, Carlo Selva of Selva Marine, Michele Marzucco and Stefano Lenarduzzi, respectively President and CEO of Quick Group.
“This year – explained D’Ambrosio – we’re bringing an analog initiative into a digital world: a test center open all the year around, a place to host companies and certify the quality of products through transparent protocols. Everything will be documented with videos, photos, and articles published across our six magazines and fourteen international editions”.
The choice of Genoa: a port that speaks to the city
The choice of the location is no coincidence. “You might say: because Marina Porto Antico is in Genoa – joked Barbagelata – Actually, Genoa has a network of shipyards, services, and facilities that can serve a wide range of clients. What sets us apart from other ports, though, is that we are completely open and connected to the city. Here, people can walk along the docks and watch the tests live: it’s not a sterile lab report, it’s innovation above and below the water, right before everyone’s eyes”.
Barbagelata also highlighted a key point: “A physical place like this isn’t just about testing, it’s about sharing knowledge. Visitors can gain a better understanding of new developments, just as we had to do with our clients when we introduced smart power pedestals. Training is essential, and the test center will help raise awareness”.
The culture of testing
For engine manufacturers, the collaboration with TIYM is above all a matter of method. “As engine makers we see a lot of tests, but they’re not always carried out with the right criteria – explained Conti – We’ve fought misleading habits, like fuel consumption expressed in liters per hour, which on its own means nothing. Promoting a culture of testing with clear standards and proper explanations is the best way to truly serve users. That’s why we’re happy to be part of such a professional project”.
For Scanner Marine, the test center is an ideal opportunity to showcase new products and put innovations to the test in real conditions. “When Luca told us about the project, we joined immediately – said Montemitro – It’s an innovative solution and an important way to assess a boat together with its engines and technical upgrades”.
“Our relationship with Luca goes back a long way – recalled Carlo Selva – We’ve even carried out extreme tests together: today, for example, one of our tenders and an outboard engine have been undergoing testing for five months, always on display at the dock. It’s an endurance trial that demonstrates the quality of the products”.
For the world of accessories, the test center is a crucial opportunity. “A test carried out by a professional is not just confirmation, but also constructive feedback – noted Marzucco – In our sector, there are catalogs full of copies and products of questionable quality. Knowing that what you claim is actually verified and tested is a huge advantage, both for serious manufacturers and for end users”. Lenarduzzi added: “I immediately liked the idea of a test center. It’s a valuable support, because the accessory isn’t tested in isolation, but installed on the boat and used in real conditions. For a company that is growing rapidly, especially in electronics, it’s an essential testing ground”.
Test center, a permanent hub for excellence
Luca D’Ambrosio wrapped up by underlining the scope of the initiative: “We are in Genoa, in a country that is the world’s leading producer of yachts and exports 90% of its production. Here we have the very best of Italian and international companies, ready to be tested in front of the public and shared with the world. Next year we’ll bring an important digital evolution, but for now this center is already an extraordinary step forward”.
And when asked what he’ll bring to the next Genoa Boat Show, he replied smiling: “I can’t reveal it, but it will be something new, because innovation is the only way to stay alive. And doing it together with partners like these is a privilege”.
