The second edition of the Blue Design Summit officially opened yesterday at the historic Teatro Civico della Spezia, launching three days of high-level discussion, innovation showcases and strategic insights under the banner theme “From Water to Design.”
As the flagship event of Blue Design Week (12–16 May 2025), the Summit has once again brought together some of the most influential voices in superyacht design and shipbuilding, including top-tier Italian and global design studios, shipyards, technology suppliers and strategic stakeholders.
Global Market Intelligence: Two-Speed Superyacht Economy
Kicking off the Summit, SuperYacht Times’ Head of Intelligence Ralph Dazert presented an exclusive first-quarter 2025 update to the annual market report. According to Dazert, the superyacht sector—following a pandemic-era boom—has entered a transitional phase marked by divergence across size segments.
“The market is moving towards a two-speed dynamic,” said Dazert. “Buyers in the upper segments are continuing to invest, while the more accessible size ranges are seeing hesitation, likely due to broader economic uncertainties.”
Key data points included:
- Global new superyacht orders fell from 375 in 2021 to 195 in 2024
- Deliveries rose to 228 units in 2024, reflecting backlog processing
- The backlog has begun to decline from its 2023 peak of 695 yachts
- Orders for 30–40m yachts dropped 20% (2023–2024), while 40–50m orders rose 28%
While early 2025 sales show some contraction across all size ranges, Italy remains dominant. Italian shipyards accounted for 53% of the global order book above 30 metres, with an average build size now at 44m and 517GT—evidence of a growing demand for larger, more complex vessels.
Panel Dialogue: Italy’s Path to Scaling and Innovation
An opening-day panel discussion united heavyweights from the Italian yacht-building industry, including:
- Vasco Buonpensiere – Cantiere delle Marche
- Diego Deprati – Baglietto
- Sebastiano Fanizza – Next Yacht Group
- Vincenzo Poerio – Tankoa Yachts
Topics ranged from strategic innovation funding to evolving client expectations and the pressure to scale operations in line with the shift toward 40m+ vessels. Emphasis was placed on preserving profit margins to reinvest in R&D, technology, and sustainable construction practices.
Designing for the Future: What’s Ahead at Blue Design Summit
Day Two (14 May) of the Summit features a keynote from the University of Luxury of Monaco Monte Carlo, exploring the shifting expectations of ultra-high-net-worth clients. A roundtable on superyacht aesthetics and functionality will be led by icons of the design world:
- Fulvio De Simoni
- Mario Pedol
- Tommaso Spadolini
- Giovanni Zuccon
A special segment on floating living concepts will highlight Sindalah, with design and development updates presented by Studio Luca Dini, Technogym, Stefano Ricci, and the Bocelli Group.
Later, architecture takes the stage with insights from:
- Alfonso Femia – Atelier Femia
- Filippo Innocenti – Zaha Hadid Architects
- Giancarlo Manfredi – Meyer Floating Solutions
- Joost Moolhuijzen – Renzo Piano Building Workshop
They will discuss the convergence of urban design and floating infrastructure as coastal cities look to redefine waterfront interaction.
Closing Ceremony: Blue Design Awards 2025
The conference will conclude on Thursday, 15 May, with the Blue Design Awards 2025 at 17:30. Winners will be selected by an independent scientific committee chaired by Antonella Cotta Ramusino, with entries evaluated across design innovation, environmental responsibility and industry relevance.
About the Event
Organised by Clickutility Team and Promostudi La Spezia, the Blue Design Summit is promoted by Miglio Blu and supported by key institutions, including the Liguria Region, Municipality of La Spezia, and the Port System Authority of the Eastern Ligurian Sea, alongside industry groups such as Liguria International, Confindustria La Spezia, and the International Propeller Club, Port of La Spezia.
Stay tuned for more updates from La Spezia as Blue Design Week 2025 continues to shape the future of yachting design and maritime innovation.
