The third edition of the European Sustainable Boating Roundtable will take place at the Genoa International Boat Show.
Organised by the European Boating Industry (EBI) and Confindustria Nautica the Roundtable will serve as a key forum for dialogue on the sector’s sustainability and long-term competitiveness.
“The ability of our industry to remain competitive depends not only on innovation, but on stable and supportive policy,” said Robert Marx, president of EBI.
“With the current challenges in global trade, it’s more important than ever that we engage directly with EU decision-makers.”
The Roundtable will take the theme of ‘Resilient and sustainable growth amid global trade shifts’ and will address the strategic importance of the boating industry for regional economies and the sector’s contribution to international trade stability amidst current global economic uncertainty.
It will also look at how EU policy can further support the industry’s long-term economic sustainability and competitiveness.
The Roundtable represents a pivotal platform to promote a shared vision for a sustainable and competitive future for the boating industry.
Fabio Planamente
The organisers point out that given that EU manufacturers are by far the largest exporters of recreational boats, the current shifts in trade and geopolitics are forecast to impact the sector and new strategies will need to be found.
The Roundtable will be opened by executive vice-president of the European Commission, Raffaele Fitto, the commissioner responsible for cohesion, reforms, and strategic oversight of tourism, transport and the blue economy.
Panellists for the event include Members of the European Parliament MEP Francesco Torselli and MEP Brando Benifei from Italy, and MEP Željana Zovko from Croatia, as well as Sebastian Nietupski, CEO of Kotniz Group and former President of Polboat.
Sustainability and competitiveness
“The European Sustainable Boating Roundtable is a key moment to show how Europe’s boating industry is driving sustainability and competitiveness on the global stage,” said Piero Formenti, President of Confindustria Nautica.
Fabio Planamente, vice president of Confindustria Nautica and newly appointed EBI special representative for the large yacht sector, added: “Holding roles within both Confindustria Nautica and EBI provides a unique opportunity to reinforce the alignment between national priorities and European strategies.
“The Roundtable represents a pivotal platform to promote a shared vision for a sustainable and competitive future for the boating industry, ensuring our sector’s interests are effectively represented in the European policy arena.”
The event will take place on 19 September 2025 at 15:00, Forum Hall, at the Genoa International Boat Show.
