ITALIAN MARINE INDUSTRY AND ITALIAN TRADE AGENCY TO JOIN AMSTERDAM’S METSTRADE
Tuesday 19th November is set to mark the first day of Amsterdam’s international trade show METSTRADE, dedicated to the yachting industry’s components and accessories segment, ending on 21st November.
The Italian Marine Industry Association will be taking part alongside a collective of Italian companies organised in partnership with the Italian Trade Agency as part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation’s Made in Italy Promotion Plan.
“Everything that defines Made in Italy excellence in this sector will take centre stage in Amsterdam,” commented Saverio Cecchi, President of the Italian Marine Industry Association. “Italy’s yachting equipment and components segment plays a leading role on the international scene, renowned for its quality, innovation and design. By benefitting from a know-how that combines meticulous craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology, the overall turnover achieved by the equipment segment as a whole in 2023 exceeded €2 billion, a +10.9% increase compared to 2022 in terms of domestic production”.
The Made in Italy brand in the components and equipment segment will be represented in Amsterdam by a collective of 74 Italian companies, all of whom will be exhibiting their products across a total display area of 1,664 square metres, turning heads in both Hall12 and the Superyacht Pavilion.
The “Made in Italy” yachting industry has maintained its global leadership in 2023 as well, consolidating a growth phase that has seen the sector soar for 7 years running. The industry’s turnover has, in fact, reached an all-time high of €8.33 billion (+13.6%). Boatbuilding production and exports have also contributed as a driving force supporting this continued growth: in 2023, exports of yachting units produced in Italy reached a peak of €4.23 billion.
Italy’s industry leadership is also recognised in the nine nominations received by Italian companies for the DAME Design Awards, a prize dedicated to the best products to be showcased at METSTRADE, assessed in terms of functionality, environmental impact and aesthetics.
The nominated companies are as follows: for the Security & safety aboard category, Veleria San Giorgio with its Safety Drone, the innovative integrated marine rescue system first presented to the world at the 64th Genoa International Boat Show. For the Comfort & entertainment afloat category: Besenzoni with the Helm Seat Manta armchair; Indel Webasto Marine with its Slim-Fit Cooling Unit; and Blue-Airco with the EcoFlow AC Controller compact low-voltage air conditioning system. For the Deck equipment category: Antal with its Spinner; Douglas Marine with the E-Step electric ladder and Easysea for the Olli Block. Finally, for the Propulsion & dynamics category, Mitek with its electric outboard Revolve and, for the personal equipment category, Toio with the Deck Safety Shoe.
METS is also an important opportunity for discussing the sector’s latest technical developments. The Italian Marine Industry Association, confirming its leading role within the international industry associations, will also be actively taking part in various meetings and technical workshops. Key moments will include the Superyacht Forum, the Council Meeting of the European industry federation EBI, and ICOMIA’s numerous working groups, such as the Sustainability Committee, the Superyacht Division and the new joint Exporters/Market Intelligence Committee.
