Within the next year, the Italian refit yard Amico & Co. will complete a significant expansion. One phase, a new megayacht marina, opens in just a few weeks. On a bigger scale, Amico & Co. has ambitious plans to turn its home city of Genoa into a megayacht hub.
The illustration above highlights the areas where the company will expand its footprint. The new marina, in green to the right, will gradually begin operating in November. Encompassing about 645,835 square feet (60,000 square meters), it includes new quays, parking, crew areas, and public access. By later next year, about 80 percent of the megayacht marina should open. It’s suited for yachts to 361 feet (110 meters).
Amico & Co. says all of this is due to the ever-increasing sizes of yachts. Therefore, additional investments are expanding its hoisting abilities and dry-dock offerings. Currently, the yard can accommodate eight megayachts to 295 feet (90 meters) in dry docks and refit sheds. Next year, though, it will have a 4,000-ton syncrolift. That should hoist projects to 312 feet (95 meters). They’ll be able to move around on the hard thanks to new transfer equipment, too.
In addition, Amico & Co. is making alterations to its two covered graving dry docks. (See upper left, in green.) Once completed, also next year, they will accommodate projects to 328 feet (100 meters) LOA. Complementing them, open graving dry docks will accommodate double that capacity.
Better yet, some improvements are already available. Specifically, they’re lifestyle improvements, for the crew. Amico & Co. has the “Amico Shuttle,” running from the shipyard to the dry docks and onward to Genoa’s city center. This way, crew can enjoy restaurants, sports events, and other nightlife when their working day is done, and on Saturday nights.
Related to this, Amico & Co. and Pesto Sea Group, a local agent, offer the Italian Experience. It’s an online guide outlining local and regional trips, including skiing and snowboarding in the Alps. It also lists gastronomy tours they can enjoy, hiking trips, and more.
The hospitality efforts and shipyard expansion are part of a greater vision. “These are the main drivers that will allow Amico and Genoa to compete on the world stage as a market leader and go-to destination for yachts over 40 meters and up to 150 meters,” explains Alberto Amico, the chairman. Already, Amico is among about 30 companies that formed a trade organization to keep promoting the region and effect positive regulatory change.
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