The Voyage of Ferretti Yachts: A Legacy of Luxury

The Legend Begins

In 1968, in the heart of Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region, brothers Alessandro and Norberto Ferretti embarked on a journey that would forever change the maritime world. Sons of a fuel trader who also owned a luxury car dealership in Bologna, selling prestigious brands like Ferrari, Maserati, and Lamborghini, the brothers decided to expand the family business into the nautical sector after securing the Italian representation for the American motorboat brand Chris Craft. They opened a multi-window shop called Ferretti Nautica in the city centre of Bologna.

The first self-built boat was launched in 1971 at a shipyard in Cattolica, using the hull of an 11-metre fishing boat. Named the Khamsin, this wooden motor-sailer was presented at the Genoa Boat Show and marked the beginning of the company’s first orders. Four years later, in 1975, the Ferretti brothers permanently abandoned the motor industry and opened their own shipyard in San Giovanni in Marignano, fully committing to their vision of creating exceptional yachts.

The Founder’s Vision

Alessandro and Norberto Ferretti were not merely entrepreneurs; they were visionaries who saw beyond the horizon. Norberto, just 22 years old at the company’s founding, became largely responsible for design, while his older brother Alessandro oversaw the business operations. From the very beginning, their mission was clear: to blend traditional Italian craftsmanship with cutting-edge innovation.

Their dedication to excellence led them to transition from sailboats to motor yachts in 1982, when the first exclusively engine-powered Ferretti yacht was presented. The company began producing boats for sport fishing, open and flybridge models, introducing revolutionary innovations that would transform modern boat-building: bathing platforms, automated salon windows opening onto the cockpit, and internal ladders from the salon to the flybridge. These innovations remain industry standards today.

Rise to Excellence

The journey from a fledgling company to a global luxury brand was marked by significant milestones. In 1989, motivated by the need for technological advancement and international recognition, Ferretti established its Engineering Department and entered offshore powerboat racing. This bold move paid off spectacularly: Norberto Ferretti himself won the Class 1 Offshore World Championship in 1994, piloting one of the first carbon-fibre boats, and his team secured a second world title in 1997.

Tragedy struck in 1996 when Alessandro Ferretti died at age 59 in an accident while mowing grass at his villa in the hills of Bologna. Left to lead alone, Norberto transformed grief into determination, launching an aggressive expansion strategy. Through a series of strategic acquisitions, Ferretti Group assembled an unparalleled portfolio: Pershing (1998), CRN (1999), the legendary Riva (2000), Itama (2004), and most recently, Wally (2019). In 2012, Chinese conglomerate Weichai Group acquired a controlling stake, providing capital and opening new markets, particularly in Asia.

Iconic Creations

The Ferretti Group’s portfolio represents the pinnacle of Italian maritime excellence, with each brand offering distinct character and heritage. Ferretti Yachts, the flagship brand, specializes in flybridge motor yachts from 14 to 30 metres, combining elegant design with advanced navigation systems. The Ferretti Yachts 1000, launched in 2021, represents the brand’s largest and most technologically advanced creation.

Riva, founded in 1842 on Lake Iseo, is perhaps the most iconic name in yachting history. Its classic wooden runabouts, immortalized by Brigitte Bardot and beloved by royalty including King Hussein of Jordan, Elizabeth Taylor, and Richard Burton, represent timeless Italian elegance. Today, Riva produces luxury yachts up to 90 metres. Pershing delivers high-performance sport yachts capable of exceeding 50 knots, while CRN builds custom steel and aluminium megayachts up to 95 metres. Custom Line offers semi-custom superyachts, and Wally brings innovative sailing and motor yacht designs to the portfolio.

The Numbers: Empire Today

Ferretti Group is publicly traded on both the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (since March 2022) and Euronext Milan (since June 2023), making it the world’s first company dual-listed in Hong Kong and Italy. In 2024, the Group reported total net revenue of €1.173 billion from new yacht sales, with order intake of €1.139 billion and an all-time high net backlog of €900 million.

The company employs approximately 1,500 people worldwide and operates seven production shipyards across Italy: Forlì (headquarters and smaller models), Cattolica (mid-range yachts), Ancona (superyachts and CRN), Mondolfo (Pershing and Itama), Sarnico (Riva), and La Spezia. As of 2024, the shareholding structure includes Ferretti International Holding (37.5%), with Weichai Group remaining the strategic majority shareholder. Piero Ferrari, son of the legendary Enzo Ferrari, holds approximately 13% and serves as Honorary Chairman.

The Legacy Continues

Under the leadership of CEO Alberto Galassi, who took the helm in 2014, Ferretti Group has experienced a remarkable renaissance. Galassi, credited with leading the company’s turnaround and securing its dual listing, has guided the group through the COVID-19 crisis to achieve record results. Chairman Tan Xuguang of Weichai Group provides strategic oversight, while Pierre-Alexis Dumas serves on the board as Honorary Chairman.

The company continues to invest heavily in innovation through its Advanced Yacht Technology (AYT) centre in Forlì, focusing on sustainable solutions including hybrid propulsion and hydrogen engines. In 2025, the Ferretti Yachts 800 received the Design Innovation Award at the Genoa International Boat Show. The Group is also expanding into the security sector through the Ferretti Security Division (FSD), building fast patrol vessels for naval and coastguard applications.

Why It Matters

Ferretti Group has become more than just a manufacturer of luxury yachts; it is a symbol of Italian maritime excellence and craftsmanship that has endured for nearly six decades. From its humble beginnings in a Bologna showroom to its current status as a global leader with seven prestigious brands, Ferretti represents the pinnacle of yachting luxury. The tragic loss of co-founder Alessandro only strengthened the company’s resolve to honour his legacy through relentless innovation and uncompromising quality. Today, serving clients in over 80 countries through a network of more than 60 dealers, Ferretti Group continues to set the standard for luxury on the water.