CIPNES at the Cannes 2025, From refit to biomethanol: Sardinia presents itself in Cannes as an innovative nautical hub

Cannes, 12 September 2025 – The Provincial Industrial Consortium of North-East Sardinia (CIPNES), together with the Region of Sardinia, Department of Planning and Industry, presented at the Cannes Yachting Festival the results and growth prospects of the regional nautical industry, a sector in constant expansion and now the island’s third-largest industrial segment.

CIPNES President Livio Fideli emphasized how boating in Sardinia is no longer just connected to tourism, but is increasingly playing a key role in production and industry. In 2024, the sector reached a total turnover of €644 million, with strong growth in both refit activities and new production.
“Our goal,” Fideli stated, “is to demonstrate that Sardinia is not only a tourist destination, but also a territory with a growing industrial system that is attractive to investors. The nautical sector today is a key industry that makes a decisive contribution to the regional economy.”

Presence at the Cannes Yachting Festival
Four Sardinian companies took part in the French boat show: Maori, Novamarine, Seawater, and G-Tender, a clear sign of the sector’s vitality and diversification. Sardinia is also attracting new operators, consolidating its role as an industrial hub in the Mediterranean.
Particularly significant is also the growth of exports to France, which in two years has increased from €1 million to €12 million.

Support for investors and new green frontiers
CIPNES offers companies a dedicated front office, designed to support and assist investors choosing Sardinia, facilitating access to the market and the local regulatory framework.
In addition to supporting companies, the consortium promotes innovative green energy projects, such as the production of biomethanol from organic waste, intended to become an alternative fuel also for the nautical sector.

Training and specialist skills
President Fideli also underlined the importance of training tailored to the needs of businesses. In cooperation with companies and institutions, CIPNES develops educational pathways ranging from workforce preparation to academic levels, supported by the new Faculty of Naval Engineering active in Olbia since 2024.
“The growth of the nautical industry requires increasingly specialized skills. With dedicated training programs, we aim to ensure qualified labor and technical expertise in line with market demands,” Fideli added.

Next stop: the Genoa International Boat Show
The presentation in Cannes marks the first international showcase of the new development strategies. Further details will be shared next week at the Genoa International Boat Show, where the new edition of the Sardinia Nautical Fair will also be presented, an initiative promoted with the support of the Region of Sardinia and the Department of Industry.