Stefano de Vivo: Wosa Yacht Refit aims to grow and looks at new areas

At the recent Blue Design Summit in La Spezia, PressMare met with Stefano de Vivo, Chairman of WOSA Yacht Refit / Surveys, formerly Chief Commercial Officer of Ferretti Group until last October 31. He officially stepped down from the position to “fully dedicate himself to his Family Office, assuming the role of CEO.”

Clearly, yachting is a world that is hard to leave, especially for someone who has experienced it with such passion. That’s why the young manager embraced his latest professional challenge—launched in February—with evident enthusiasm, bringing his experience in the new build market into a business of a different nature.

PressMare – Can you give us a snapshot of WOSA today? Who are your clients?

Stefano de Vivo – Right now, the refit sector has a strong customer base. Many owners are realizing how rewarding it can be to update their yacht and make changes. Especially with larger yachts, it’s not always necessary to replace them. Some owners have had ideas in mind for years, and it’s great to help them improve what, for many, has become their true home—often more used than their villa. Yachts are where they vacation and spend increasing amounts of time, becoming their most intimate space.

PM – The refit season is coming to a close. How did it go this year?

SdV – Actually, we’re still working at full pace. We’re fortunate to have several owners whose yachts operate in both the European and American seasons, so we’re busy in early autumn and continue through to July. Many yachts return from the U.S. or the Caribbean needing additional work ahead of the Mediterranean summer season.

PM – Can we talk about the order book?

SdV – At WOSA, we operate somewhat differently than the traditional refit model. We already have a solid order book for the upcoming yachting year.

PM – How many projects are we talking about, both current and future?

SdV – We’ve completed about thirty units so far, and next year’s order book is looking even better than last year. In refit, it's hard to quantify projects strictly by number, since larger yachts mean fewer jobs but potentially more significant work. In any case, business is strong, and we’re already securing contracts for the next season.

PM – What size range of yachts does WOSA specialize in?

SdV – We can handle yachts from 30 to 90–95 meters. We also take on smaller craft, such as 20-meter tenders for large yachts, when owners seek a high-end, tailored service.

PM – What are your growth strategies?

SdV – We aim to grow, but not necessarily by targeting larger yachts. Our goal is to build a network of loyal owners, crews, and yacht management companies that trust us and return after a positive experience. We’re not pushing for any specific size segment—this year we handled many yachts between 60 and 80 meters. We’re focused on clients who value our type of service. Refit ranges from routine maintenance to major overhauls, and having a broad offering allows us to work on yachts bound for the U.S. or Caribbean and extend the season, starting jobs as early as August or September.

PM – You mentioned at the Summit new areas in Italy like the Tigullio and Tyrrhenian regions. Is WOSA exploring other locations?

SdV – We’re looking across the Mediterranean, especially the established refit corridor from the Balearics to Livorno, including the Spanish coast, the Côte d’Azur, Liguria, and Tuscany. That’s the area where our partner companies can operate. WOSA doesn’t employ blue-collar workers directly—we’re a white-collar organization—but we collaborate with long-standing contractors who deliver quality service and understand both our expectations and those of our clients. We need to stay within this trusted network, and that’s not easy.

PM – At the Summit, you mentioned the positive impact of refit operations on local territories. Can you elaborate?

SdV – The benefits of large yacht refit operations are often underestimated. They bring people—captains, crews—who aren’t just transient visitors. Italy offers a great lifestyle, and many professionals move their families to where they work, as has happened in Palma de Mallorca. This brings both direct economic benefits and cultural exchange to those regions.

PM – New build yards struggle to find skilled workers like engineers, project managers, carpenters, and welders. How is it for the refit sector?

SdV – We experience the same challenges. Many contractors work in both new builds and refits, so shortages in skilled labor affect us too, including for project managers. At WOSA, we try to offer one of the most appealing workplaces in the sector.

PM – But many claim that. What makes WOSA different?

SdV – WOSA was founded by Filippo Calcaterra (currently CEO) and remains a family-oriented company where everyone is deeply involved. That’s the beauty of our setup. You can’t do smart working in refit—if you're not onboard, it’s not feasible—but we work in beautiful places, and that applies to both project managers and craftsmen. In Italy, people want to work in safe, fulfilling environments, and we strive to offer that. Refit offers a more dynamic and varied challenge than a production yard: every job is different, and the human relationships are more direct.

By Riccardo Masnata

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