The Italian shipyard Cantieri di Pisa, recently re-born under a new ownership, have attracted a massive media attention during the latest yacht shows’ season, for the projects unveiled but also for an interesting a strategic partnership, which could lead the yard to build over its current limit of 56 meters.
The new strategic partnership between Cantieri di Pisa and T. Mariotti, a member of the Genova Industrie Navali group, leading private player in the shipyard industry in Italy, was announced at the Monaco Yacht Show 2024, after the success at the Cannes Yachting Festival, where the company introduced the new Akhir 44. The partners will soon present the first results of the agreement, which aims to offer the ultimate in Italian-made excellence in the large yacht industry.
Marco Massabò, CEO of the iconic, storied brand, owned by Enrico Gennasio since 2021, explained that this partnership will pave the way for new large yacht projects that will be innovative, sustainable and built according to the highest standards in safety and technology. Result of this new collaboration will be steel, aluminum and carbon yachts, up to 180 meters in length, inspired by the same principles of the shipyard’s ongoing projects. Currently in build at Cantieri di Pisa there are two yachts: the 80 Veloce, a 24-metre carbon fibre yacht that can reach 60 knots, and a 37.50-metre explorer with a steel hull and composite superstructure developed by the CDP Custom division (design and engineering by Marcelo Penna) and scheduled for launch in summer 2026.
Published in Superyacht Digest | Winter Issue 2024-2025 “The Superyacht Society”
THE NEW RANGE
Last September in Cannes Cantieri di Pisa reported on the results achieved and referred to an order book worth a healthy €27 million, including new builds (17 million) and refits (10 million). About its future goals, that can count on an investment of €6 million to expand the shipyard’s production facilities, which now occupies an area of 50,000 square metres, of which 24,000 for refit services, the shipyard presented the new Akhir 44, whose entire line was designed by architect Antonio Luxardo.
The model, which combines the DNA of the iconic boat, integrating some highly innovative features, was redesigned to meet the needs of modern owners while staying true to the brand’s historical legacy.
In parallel with work to expand the production facilities, the new management headhunted Antonio Luxardo to fulfil the shipyard’s mission, assigning him the role of chief designer with the task of balancing the brand’s historical heritage and new future direction, as well as of keeping a razor-sharp focus on technological innovation and the environmental impact of production processes.
The desire to create new types of boat to cater to the needs of various market segments was behind the decision to offer three ranges, with the presentation so far of Polaris 48, Saturno 56, and finally Akir 44. The focus of this new design work was on weight and an innovative EHPH Power Fin hull type.
A BRAND WITHIN THE BRAND
The Akhir line has evolved but preserved certain signature features, which was due given its long tradition. The new range is characterised by the same recognisability and identity to keep this bond between past and future alive.
In keeping with the Yard’s DNA, a number of distinctive features of this famous line have been retained, including the sleek lines of the deckhouse, the strip windows featured on the hull sides, the ‘shark-like’ decoration on the bow, the horizontal-grid air intakes and the black and white livery accenting the line’s identity.
The first model in the range to be launched on the market, the Akhir 44, will have a vacuum-moulded carbon fibre composite hull and superstructure. The yacht has an EHPH Power Fin hull like the other models in the three ranges. ∎