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SAILING, SUSTAINABILITY AND CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY: A SUPPLY CHAIN WITH AN INCREASINGLY GREEN FOOTPRINT
The fifth day of the 63rd Genoa International Boat Show opened with a series of events that, in the wake of a week dedicated to the marine environment and its enjoyment, highlighted the importance of preserving our sea, an invaluable social and economic resource.
The day kicked off with the ‘European Sustainable Boating Roundtable’, organised by the European Boating Industry (EBI), in collaboration with the Italian Marine Industry Association and Liguria Region, held in the Blue Pavilion’s Forum Hall. An expert panel of industry leaders and politicians spoke about promoting #MadeInEurope sustainability, both in Europe and worldwide.
EBI Vice-Chair and Vice-President of the Italian Marine Industry Association Piero Formenti, and the Liguria Region’s Councillor for Economic Development Andrea Benveduti officially opened the Round Table, moderated by renowned marine journalist and editor of Robb Report Michael Verdon. Also taking part in the debate were MEP Brando Benifei, Fabio Planamente – CEO of Cantiere del Pardo S.p.A., Massimo Pronio – Head of Communication of the European Commission Representation in Italy, MEP Marco Campomenosi, and Robert Marx, President of EBI.
The speakers gave a comprehensive overview of the European Green Deal, analysing how the yachting industry will be able to manage the transition towards new sustainable solutions, increasing its competitiveness on a global level. This roundtable marked the start of a new relationship of cooperation between the Genoa International Boat Show and EBI, which will continue over the next few years, offering a new space for discussion and debate on such an important topic.
In the Italian Marine Industry Association meeting room (on the mezzanine floor of the Show’s Blue Pavilion) a report was provided about the summit and workshop held at the United Nations on the principles at the basis of the Declaration of Ocean Rights-Genoa Process.
Speakers included the Mayor of Genoa Marco Bucci, Deputy Mayor Pietro Piciocchi, Ocean race chairman Richard Brisius, Genoa Process representative Antonio Di Natale (via a video message), and the Hon. Isabella Susanna De Martini, Genoa World Ambassador and Senior Consultant for International Relations.
Next, at the Slam stand (Sailing world area), was the conference ‘Team Genova: an important tool for global communication’, also attended by Marco Bucci and Richard Brisius, this time alongside sailors Andrea Pendibene and Claudia Rossi, with a video link-up with Alberto Riva and Cecilia Zorzi, followed by a video intervention by Francesca Clapcich.
Another key event was that of the Regatta 151 – Cetilar Trophy, presentedat the Eberhard&Co. Theatre, the famous offshore regatta scheduled for 30th May 2024 with departure from Livorno and arrival in Punta Ala. On stage were the presidents of the three organising yacht clubs – Roberto Lacorte (Yacht Club Repubblica Marinara di Pisa), Alessandro Masini (Yacht Club Punta Ala) and Gian Luca Conti (Yacht Club Livorno) – the skipper of the 100′ Maxi Arca SGR Furio Benussi and journalist Carlo Genta from Radio 24.
‘Between the sky and the sea’ is the claim of the upcoming 2024 edition of the 151 Miglia and the many new concepts that will accompany the event, starting with the 151 Winter Series, a winter event between Punta Ala and Livorno/Marina di Pisa, with a transfer race from Punta Ala to Livorno, christened Moonshine and scheduled for 23rd November.
The spotlight was once again on sailing with the Italian Class40 ocean sailors during the fifth afternoon of the 63rd International Boat Show. The young, adventurous sailors Ambrogio Beccaria, Pietro Luciani, Edo Bianchi, and, via video connection, Andrea Fornaro, Alberto Bona, and Alberto Riva discussed their experiences at sea and the new goals they are pursuing. In front of a packed audience, the Italian champions told how they challenged the limits of the French predominance in ocean sailing, introducing an entirely Italian project with a Ligurian soul. Inside the shipyard of Edo Bianchi, at the helm of San Giorgio Marine, Alberto Riva’s brand-new sailing boat was born, twin sister of Ambrogio Beccaria’s “Alla Grande – Pirelli”, thanks to which the project was first conceived, and ready to take on the Transat Jacque Vabre. An innovative, high-tech and sustainable boat.
Pietro Luciani introduced the panel by illustrating the importance that the Italian project is experiencing in the sailing sector: “Class40 is currently traversing a key moment in history. Italian sailors have chosen to focus on the Class40 concept, allowing for the creation of a project that is entirely Italian, an initiative that is proving to be very interesting. All of this is captivating the attention of the world and shining the spotlight on Italy, on a class that until yesterday could only have been defined as a French class. Now, however, the focus in shifting towards Italian sailors and Italian construction. Now we are waiting for the fourth boat, and we can’t wait.”
CEO of San Giorgio Marine Edo Bianchi was next to take the stage, recounting the first years of his own yard: “This project was born thanks to Ambrogio’s vision, who looked beyond the standard French design. He believed in me and in my newly born shipyard, San Giorgio Marine, where we built the first boat. It all worked out exceptionally well, demonstrating Italian excellence in all sectors. In ocean sailing there can also be room for Italians, we are creating a new future together and we have to keep pushing to keep growing”.
Ambrogio Beccaria, sailor and creator of the new Made in Italy project, then took centre stage: “For Class40 it was only a matter of time, the ingredients were there. Things lined up at the same time for everyone, I acted as the project’s fulcrum because I received nothing but positive energy from the people next to me. I put all my trust in them. The real work is theirs. Pirelli was the forerunner, you need the courage of sponsors for such challenging projects for companies’.
They were followed by the three sailors taking part via video link. On board his Acrobatica, Alberto Riva stressed that: “after the Class Mini experience, I wanted something even more challenging. I followed Ambrogio’s project closely, a boat that I already knew and one it is hard not to fall in love with”.
For Andrea Fornaro, “there were important time alignments that led to the realisation of this project. A coincidence of professionals coming together to work on the same boat. It’s great to see that such possibilities can exist in the world of sailing. Companies have also shown their courage and commitment to invest in sailing.”
Finally, Alberto Bona confirmed that “this is definitely a favourable moment for Class40. I am happy with this Italian wave and it is good to see that companies believe in it. We have to think about how to keep it going. I have a huge appreciation for what the guys have done so far”.
The Halls on the Mezzanine floor of the Blue Pavilion, on theother hand, continued the FORUM23 programme,whichbegan today in the Tech Room with the conference ‘Propulsion systems and their efficiency ‘ organised by ATENA Lombardia, in partnership with the Italian Marine Industry Association, aimed at exploring the advances and new Pod and waterjet technologies that are optimal for reducing environmental impact, operating costs, and improving the performance of propulsion systems in general.
Speakers included Davide Grassi of CETENA, Andrea Piccione of Volvo Penta, Franco Fratò of ZF Marine Propulsion Systems, Finn Limset of SeaDrive, Alessandro Varisco of Twin Disc, Giovanni Garziano of Vulkan Italia and Giuseppe Zagaria of RINA.
This was followed by a report provided by the Marine Centre of the University of Genoa in the Innovation Hall on itsactivities in the field of research and the institute’s PhD in Marine Sciences and Technology.
At the same time, in the Forum Hall, the ‘Innovation and Performance in the Yachting Sector’ took place, during which Edoardo Bianchi of Sangiorgiomarine, Luca Santella and Paolo Dessi of Bluegame, Giuseppe Zagaria and Alberto Carmagnani of RINA, Massimo Verme of Gerrys Boat, and Davide Cipriani of Future and Foiling provided insights into the future of the industry; Andrea Venturelli of RINA moderated.
Tomorrow’s events – 26th September 2023
FORUM23
12:00 pm: CLOSING PRESS CONFERENCE OF THE 63rd GENOA INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW in the Forum Hall – Mezzanine floor of the Blue Pavilion.
3.30 – 5.00 pm: Workshop – SUSTAINABILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES: THE CONSTANT DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE ENVIRONMENT, TERRITORY AND SEA – (organised by AMIU Genova)
EBERHARD &CO THEATRE 11.00 am – 12.00 pm: “ITALIA DAL MARE” (ITALY FROM THE SEA) – A NEW CONCEPT FOR NAUTICAL TOURISM – (organised by Italia dal Mare and A.M.A. srl)
