For the past several days, headlines have declared that the port of Naples, Italy is restricting superyachts from entering. Some articles declare the city has outright prohibited them, too. However, the reports of Naples banning superyachts are “fake news,” as one person puts it.
A variety of articles specifically have claimed superyachts exceeding 75 meters (246 feet) are “banned,” “locked out,” and “barred.” Many of the same articles reference a regional newspaper, Corriere della Sera,which is where the story seems to have originated. According to that paper, two superyachts exceeding 305 feet (93 meters) were turned away. But, at least one of the two did not actually leave Naples. Rather, the yacht remained at anchor.
The same article states that the Mergellina area is “the only reference point in Naples for large boats.” While the Luise Group-operated Marina Molo Luise (above) in Mergellina offers dockage to 328 feet (100 meters), Naples has more than one superyacht facility. In fact, Stabia Main Port (below), which the Luise Group further manages, can accommodate vessels to 820 feet (250 meters). It’s in the municipality of Castellammare di Stabia, which belongs to Naples. At presstime, according to Marine Traffic, about 40 superyachts overall were docked in Naples. Nearly another 10 were at anchor. They ranged in LOA to 243 feet (74 meters).
If declarations of Naples banning superyachts are incorrect, then what is correct? One statement in the Corriere della Sera article corresponds to the experience of Italian yacht agents and other industry representatives we interviewed. They all agree that the harbormaster in the Mergellina area is limiting access to yachts of less than 75 meters. Francesco Luise, managing partner of the Luise Group, says the ban is “fake news.” Rather, he continues, “The real news for me is that they’re trying to limit the length of the yachts inside the facilities.”
Luise says the authorities mention safety, but it’s not yet clear why safety specifically is the factor. “It’s not good for yachting,” he asserts, in reference to the lack of full details. “It’s not good for the community” where the yachts visit, either. Notably, Luise sits on a committee of ship agents, and says the council will discuss the issue and request clarification.
They’ll also request clarification for other regions where Luise says issues have arisen. Namely, he points to Portofino and Capri. Last month, a client with a 131-footer (40-meter) couldn’t dock in Portofino, where much larger yachts regularly do. Meanwhile, in Capri, “now we have a limitation up to 60 meters, while in the past we put 62, 64, even 65 meters there,” Luise says. (Sixty meters is 197 feet, while 65 meters equals 213 feet.)
We contacted additional agents and facilities representatives throughout Italy. Jessima Timberlake, the client-relations manager for Amico & Co. refit shipyard in Genoa, was one. The yacht agency Pesto Sea Group, which operates throughout Italy, was another. Both say that there is no nationwide banning of superyachts based on LOA. From what they understand, they add, the situation in Portofino was temporary, stemming from bollards maintenance. In Genoa, where Amico sits, no length limitations exist, although a recent update requires all yachts exceeding 500 gross tons have a pilot onboard. Still, they theorize the situation in Naples might be the expiration of a concession. “It is understandable that every port has its specific regulations, and every quay/marina has its specific concessions limitations,” Timberlake says.
Amico & Co. amicoshipyard.com
Luise Group luise.com
Pesto Sea Group pestoseagroup.com
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