We have had the honor to meet with Margherita Bo, Product Marketing Coordinator at Azimut Yachts, for our series on the companies utilising PSA Italy’s Terminals and related services.

The sector

The boat building sector is one of the most prestigious and appreciated sectors of ‘Made in Italy’ in the world. According to data provided by the Fondazione Symbola, Italy is a leading country with respect to commercial revenue with over two billion dollars and among the largest builders and exporters in the world. The global turnover is five billion euros, of which circa 3.4 on international markets, while there is a work force of almost 24 thousand workers directly involved in ship-building operations.

Azimut Yachts

The company

Azimut Yachts is a trade mark of the Azimut|Benetti Group specialised in the construction of luxury yachts between 13 and 38 metres long. There are six collections within their range: Atlantis, Flybridge, S, Magellano, Grande and Verve. The group operates in 70 countries with a network of 138 offices for sales and assistance.

Collaboration with top architects and designers in the boat building and residential fields guarantees the maximum expression of Italian style and taste. Indeed, the distinct ‘Made in Italy’ style is an added value that renders the Azimut|Benetti boats unique, inimitable and admired throughout the world.

Another key to the success of Azimut Yachts are its investments in research and development that have led to great innovations in the boat building sector, such as Core Infusion lamination, and the development of paints and resins with a low environmental impact. Moreover, thanks to the extensive use of carbon fibre to reduce the boats’ weight, the optimised keels and efficient propulsion, Azimut Yachts has made it possible to reduce fuel consumption, and consequently emissions, by up to 40% in some models. Over the next three years, the company aims at investing a further 100 million euros in research and development.

PSA Italy for Azimut Yachts

Its international vocation is a founding characteristic of Azimut Yachts. The company exports its products to all continents and assists its clients with a network of support services for boat owners in all markets in which it operates.

The PSA Italy terminals are at the service of Azimut Yachts’ export activities. The technical name for the handling of a yacht is break bulk, meaning the movement of larger goods, which cannot be put in containers, and of great value requiring a high level of professionalism in order to be managed in total safety in all phases.

Thanks to the specialisation of their personnel and their advanced equipment, the PSA Genova Pra’ and PSA SECH terminals in the port of Genova are able to move all types of break bulk cargo swiftly and safely, including luxury yachts like those built by Azimut Yachts.

The methods for loading and unloading break bulk cargo can be direct or indirect. In the first case, the cargo is loaded or unloaded directly from or onto a lorry, from or onto a barge, or from or to the sea. On the other hand, the second implies that the cargo is temporarily positioned on specific heavy duty Mafi trailers while awaiting the ship on which it is to be loaded or, in the case of unloading, the truck which will carry it to its final destination.