The sector continues to register growth, but companies are forced to face labor problems [P1]. Italy's naval and marine engineering industry is described as 'one of the most dynamic engines' for national manufacturing, both in terms of revenue and exports, with forecasts indicating an increase in sales revenue in 2026; however, it now finds itself having to confront the bottleneck of human capital: 91% of sector companies have difficulty finding personnel.

This point is emphasized by Mediobanca, in its survey on Italian maritime and naval construction enterprises, prepared by the Institute’s research area. The report reveals that after more than doubling their annual turnover from 2016 to 2025 ( +115.8%), this segment continues to grow despite an international scenario characterized by geopolitical tensions and volatility.

Mediobanca's research combines structural analysis of the industry sector with an in-depth study conducted through a questionnaire sent to a sample of 141 manufacturing companies with individual sales exceeding $10 million, representing over 80% of the total sales of the examined sector (including Finantieri). This investigation highlights the growth and internationalization capabilities of the sector even in complex global contexts. For 2026, companies anticipate a revenue increase of 2.6%, primarily driven by exports (+3.2%) while domestic markets are expected to show a slight positive growth rate of 1.2%.

As mentioned earlier, between 2016 and 2025, according to the study, the marine and naval division's revenue has increased by 115.8%, surpassing that of other major segments within the transportation equipment sector. This growth has been observed not only on foreign markets but also domestically. Over the decade, exports have risen by 122.9%, while domestic sales have grown by 100.5%. The increase in value added ( +134.9%) is further evidence of an increasing ability to generate value, thanks to technological and industrial content in production. Of the 141 monitored companies, the total revenue for 2025 was €14.8 billion, up 10.8% from 2024. Clarifies the report: 'The export component continues to play a central role and represents approximately 65% of overall sales.'

The occupation has increased by +6.9%, confirming the strengthening of production capacity. [P2] For 2026, 52% of enterprises predict an increase in revenue, 19% expect a significant stability, and 29% anticipate reduced sales. In summary, it is estimated that revenues will rise by 2.6%. However, it finds itself facing an impasse alongside other Italian companies: human capital. This performance was mainly sustained through exports, which account for approximately 65% of total sales.