PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE GROWTH IN A SHIFTING CONTEXT OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE TO SAFEGUARD THE COMPETITIVENESS OF EUROPEAN INDUSTRY.
The third edition of the “European Sustainable Boating Roundtable“, an event organised by the European Boating Industry (EBI) and Italian Marine Industry Association, was held on Friday 19th September in the Forum25 hall of the Blue Pavilion during day 2 of the Genoa International Boat Show.
Moderated by Philip Easthill, the Roundtable entitled “Resilient and sustainable growth amid global trade shifts” proved to be an important moment of debate at a time when geopolitical tensions and the protectionist trade policy launched by the United States are severely testing the stability of industries in European countries.
Speakers explored the contribution that EU policies can make to ensuring economic sustainability and future competitiveness in the boating industry as well. With Europe leading the world in recreational boat exports, recent developments in geopolitics and trade flows require new strategic directions.
The conference opened with a video message from the Executive Vice President of the European Commission, Raffaele Fitto, who thanked Piero Formenti and Robert Marx – respectively President of the Italian Marine Industry Association and President of EBI – for organising the event and for the invitation. He shared his vision, emphasising that Europe, the world’s leading tourist destination, sees the boating industry as a sector with a unique and crucial role for the European economy. At a critical time marked by internal and external pressures, he added, it is necessary to anticipate change, to be ready and to act swiftly and effectively.
This was followed by an interview with Croatian MEP Željana Zovko who had just returned from meetings in Washington. The interview focused on the importance of the EU-US trade agreement and the need to reduce bureaucratic barriers within the European single market to stimulate economic growth.
Fabio Planamente, Vice President of the Italian Marine Industry Association, welcomed the participants to the round table, emphasising the importance of an open discussion and the need for all players to work together to address a significant challenge that will define the future of companies. “Active in both the Italian Marine Industry Association and EBI, I have the opportunity work on aligning national priorities and European strategies. This roundtable provides a decisive platform to promote a shared and sustainable vision of the boating industry’s future, ensuring effective representation of the sector in European policies. The common goal is to maintain the Genoa International Boat Show’s leadership and to promote sustainability and progress across the sector”.
Italian MEPs Brando Benifei and Letizia Moratti, as well as Gabriele Giudice, Cabinet Expert to Vice-President Raffaele Fitto, were also at the table. Also representing the industry was Sebastian Nietupski, CEO of the Kotniz Group and former President of the Polboat Association.
The debate increasingly highlighted the need to set up synergies between European policies and industry, in order to support the economic growth of territories and companies while maintaining Europe’s competitive edge on the global stage. The goal of the European Green Deal to achieve a carbon-neutral footprint by 2030 still seems a distant objective due to lack of resources. A holistic vision that balances sustainability goals with industrial competitiveness and job protection is essential, as the current approach is difficult to achieve without harming European industry.
Piero Formenti, President of the Italian Marine Industry Association, closed the roundtable by commenting: “We do not want a repetition of what happened recently in the automotive sector: learning from mistakes is crucial. The connection between the Commission and industry, especially with our representatives in Europe, must be strengthened. And this meeting, a moment of great confrontation, is in line with this objective.”
The roundtable on ESG criteria for the boating sector, organised by the Italian Marine Industry Association, BPER Banca and RINA, also focused on the theme of sustainability. Together they developed the “Sustainable Finance Lab” project to promote greater awareness of ESG issues and sustainable finance through the development of financial services and tools dedicated to the boating sector in order to support the implementation of ecological, energy and sustainable transition plans.
The roundtable was introduced by Ernesto Lanzillo, Deloitte’s Private Leader for Italy, with a focus on the global marine market and the implications of ESG issues on the sector.
Speakers on the “Sustainable Finance Lab” project included Luigi Bottos, Head of ESG Certification Centre, RINA Services, Adelaide Mondo, Head of the Lending Products, Solutions & Sales Office Bper Corporate & Investment Banking, Paolo Lorenzo Gamba, Professor in Project Management for Yacht Production – University of Genoa, Stefano Pagani Isnardi, Head of the Italian Marine Industry Association’s Research Department.
In conclusion, Emanuele Castagno, Certification Executive Vice President of RINA, presented Marina Stella, General Manager of the Italian Marine Industry Association, with a plaque for the renewal of the ISO 20121 Certification for the sustainable design of the 65th Genoa International Boat Show.
“The Genoa International Boat Show,” stated Stella, “acts as a catalyst for business development. It represents not only a moment to compare notes and take stock, but also an opportunity for SMEs to learn more about the culture of sustainability. We took our first steps on this path five years ago, within the delicate context of the pandemic, and we are proud to receive this confirmation from RINA and to be an example for our companies and for the supply chain as a whole”.
The events programme at the 65th Genoa International Boat Show on Day 2 also hosted the conference “Ai in Boating: Responsibility, Tools and Strategies”, organised by ENAVE – Ente Navale Europeo. The meeting focused on the impacts and opportunities of artificial intelligence for the supply chain, from onboard integration to data management, with a special focus on liability profiles and tools for safe and compliant adoption.
At the Eberhard & Co. Theatre, the conference organised by the Italian Coast Guard, “Figures for Summer 2025 – Land and water: the Italian Coast Guard’s activities on sea and lakes”, provided an overview of the main surveillance, rescue and control activities conducted during the summer season.
This was followed at 3.00 p.m. by the conference “Rationalisation and Modernisation Plan for the Guardia Di Finanza Naval Fleet”, which illustrated the guidelines to optimise the fleet’s efficiency, the technological upgrade of its vessels, and the strengthening of operational capabilities.
The afternoon ended with the event “The Opportunities of Genoa And La Spezia’s Simplified Logistics Zones“, organised by the Liguria Regional Council, dedicated to the tools used by the Logistics Zone to attract investment, streamline procedures, and foster the competitiveness of the regional port and logistics system overall, and the 4th Liguria Regional Hansa 303 Paralympic Sailing Championship Award Ceremony, organised by the Liguria Regional Council, Liguria 2025, and Prysmian.
