THE BLUE DESIGN SUMMIT 2025

The 2025 edition of the Blue Design Summit, From Water to Design, offered a unique opportunity to take stock of the superyacht market and the evolving landscape of fleet refits. Italian Yacht Masters strengthened its authority in the sector with two key contributions: President Gino Battaglia, a featured speaker in the yacht market roundtable, and Captain Claudio Potenza, who participated in the panel dedicated to refit operations.

The Captain’s Role in the Traditional Market

In the panel moderated by Andrea Venturelli (Head of Italy Yachting, RINA), discussions centered around the market’s post-boom stabilization phase and the consolidation of value benchmarks. Gino Battaglia emphasized how the Captain has become a key managerial figure:

“The Captain is a manager, because a yacht is a small company. For years, Italian Captains were overlooked. It was a struggle—but now, we’re recognized.”

President Battaglia also highlighted the importance of collaboration between Captain, broker, and owner to ensure that market choices consistently reflect both operational needs and long-term financial sustainability.

Refit Challenges and the Value of the Crew

In the refit session led by Roberto Franzoni (Senior Editor at Superyacht), the need for a holistic approach to shipyard operations took center stage. Captain Claudio Potenza stressed that the selection of a shipyard should not be based solely on budget and timelines, but also on the onboard quality of life ensured by technical solutions:

“Captains manage crews, budgets, safety. Too often, decisions are made based on cost and speed, but it’s the crew who will later demand suitable living conditions onboard.”

Potenza shared examples in which careful planning of refit phases reduced downtime by up to 20%, improving the owner’s operational return.

Besenzoni’s Contribution

Enhancing the link between onboard technology and design, Besenzoni—Diamond Sponsor of Italian Yacht Masters—also joined the conversation. CEO Giorgio Besenzoni spoke during the Experiences on Water roundtable. With over 55 years of Made in Italy history, Besenzoni designs and manufactures hydraulic and electric systems for yachts, including gangways, davits, swim platforms, and pilot chairs. Through its UNICA division, the company offers tailor-made solutions. Active in 90 countries with 187 sales outlets and 164 service units, Besenzoni continues to prove that Italian technological excellence is a strategic asset for the industry.

Conclusion

The contributions from Gino Battaglia and Claudio Potenza highlighted the multifaceted role of the modern Captain: not just a navigator, but a true manager capable of engaging with shipyards, owners, and brokers. The presence of a top-tier partner like Besenzoni further underscored the value of Made in Italy technology in delivering safety, comfort, and performance—confirming Italian Yacht Masters as a central player in the professional yachting market and refit sector.

Credits

Blue Design Summit

A special thanks to Antonella Cotta Rarmusino, for the invaluable organization of the event.