With the raising of the flag and homage to the Fremm Luigi Rizzo, one of the most modern ships belonging to the Italian Navy, the 61^st Genoa Boat Show was opened, concluding on 21 September.

Guest of honour at the opening ceremony was the Minister of infrastructure and sustainable mobility, Enrico Giovannini, who from the garden at the Show announced: “We will invest like never before in boating and the harbours. The Infrastructure Decree is the first step.”

In detail, the National Plan for recovery and resilience [PNRR] will provide over 4 billion euros for the improvement of Italian harbours. “Something – said the minister – that has never happened before. We know that we have to further develop our harbour operations as well as pleasure boating. The PNRR will be investing like never before in these sectors. The Infrastructure Decree is the first step.”

“This is an important day – added Giovannini – for Italy and the development of this country. The success of this Boat Show is proof of the ability of a city and an event capable of attracting the best and strongest national and international customers.”

The minister used a sailing term to explain that “Italian boating is a successful benchmark. But for a long time – he noted – this country did not know where it wanted to make landfall. Having an industry with this performance, has helped us understand that land can be reached, if the economic, and social and educational systems, turn in that direction.”

CECCHI’S JIBE

Confindustria Nautica knows that the industry is going through a golden time. “In 2020 – noted Saverio Cecchi, chairman for Confindustria Nautica – direct employment increased by 2.4%, but in 2021, the growth will be of over 23.8%, with a production turnover of over 6 billion euros, like in 2008. We are the best, for entrepreneurs, designers, architects and for artisans. But while we are producing profits, the government is losing out on takings.”

Turning to the minister, Cecchi explained that “with the new European reform for Leasing, owners who previously stipulated contracts in Italy, are now going abroad. Your colleague, the Minister of economy, will lose out on 40 million euros.”

BONOMI: “THE BRAVERY OF THE 2020 SHOW”

Among the guests at the opening day of the event, was also Carlo Bonomi, chairman of Confindustria. “The success of this Show – said Bonomi – was built up last year, when, during a difficult time for the country’s industry, you were there. But in the Italian public debate, Italian industrial capacity is grossly underrated.”

TOTI: “THANK YOU TO DOCTORS AND NURSES”

The President of Regione Liguria, Giovanni Toti, for weeks has been one of the most active members of government in promoting the vaccine campaign. And even at the Boat Show, he wanted to repeat his message. “We are at a crossroads between the past, present and future – he said – seeing that, up to a few days ago, in these pavilions there were doctors and nurses working on executing the biggest vaccine campaign in the region. And if we are standing here today, it is thanks to them. And thanks to those of us who participated in it.”

Toti also noted the bravery of the Region. “Liguria – added the president – is a safe harbour for those working in the boating industry. Liguria was brave enough to be the first to reopen the shipyards, to help people get back to work, and was also brave enough last year to organise the Boat Show.”

THE FLAGSHIPS OF THE 61^ST BOAT SHOW

This year the Boat Show takes place over 200 thousand square metres of exhibition area, 85% of which is out in the open air. There are over 1000 boats and over 1000 exhibitors. The sailing flagship this year is the Momi 80 by Vismara Marine, 26.20 metres long, while the motor boat flagship is the Sanlorenzo SD126, 37.95 metres long.

Giuseppe Orrù