Components and accessories: the technological heart of Italian boating
The nautical components and accessories segment will remain a key industrial pillar with high technological content in 2024. Despite a slight slowdown in 2024, the sector will reach a total turnover of nearly €2 billion, with strong competition, with 42% of the total value destined for foreign markets.
The nautical accessories sector, largely composed of small and medium-sized businesses, is vital to the industry’s final quality. Its importance lies in the provision of advanced, high-quality solutions that fuel both domestic and international shipbuilding.
For analytical purposes, the industry is divided into components: that is, essential and structural elements for the functioning of the unit, and accessories, understood as items that complete the set-up and the onboard experience.
Last year, the accessories sector’s total turnover reached nearly €2 billion, amounting to €1.995,45 million, of which €1.536,81 million (77%) was domestic production and €485,64 million (23%) was imports. The sector saw an overall decline in turnover of 3,9% compared to the previous year, reflecting a stabilization phase following a period of exceptional three-year expansion.
Internationalization is a distinctive feature of this sector, which exports its products through two channels: direct sales and the re-export of imported goods. Made-in-Italy production of accessories and components is balanced between two main markets: domestic demand, which absorbs 53% of national production, and (direct) exports, which account for 47% of national production (€716,20 million).
In accounting terms, the final destination abroad (total exports), calculated by adding exported domestic production and re-exported imports (€716,20 million + €119,25 million), amounts to €835,45 million. This represents 42% of the sector’s total turnover (€1.995,45 million). Destination markets clearly show a European orientation: 59% of total exports (€835,45 million) go to EU countries (compared to 41% to non-EU countries).
The product breakdown of turnover (based on a sample) confirms the sector’s diversity and complexity: nautical accessories (fittings) constitute the largest share, representing 55,0% of the sample’s turnover. Components contribute 24,2% of turnover. Generators represent 8,8% of turnover. In terms of employment impact, the accessories sector is a key generator of skilled jobs, despite the reported slight decline in the number of employees in 2024.
Nautical Source in Figures 2024 – Confindustria Nautica – Edison Foundation
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