If there is one striking constant in the entrepreneurial story of Giovanni Costantino, founder and CEO of The Italian Sea Group, it's his anthropological rejection of the comfort zone. Everything – his genius, passion, vision, zest for challenge, commitment, tenacity and hard work - tells us that he is only comfortable in pursuing what lies beyond. Because around every corner, there is always another one. And so, just when you think he has achieved the best possible result, you have to turn the page and start the next chapter that the visionary Giovanni already has clear in his mind - down to the last detail. In fact, with its well-structured productive, economic and financial framework, The Italian Sea Group embodies new strategies and fresh input to embark on a sought-after new era in the nautical world, a dream that became a passion at the beginning of this adventure.
A quick scroll through the events that have taken place since last summer gives you an understanding of how this journey into the future has morphed seamlessly, as if by magic, into a pathway that embraces all the design, production and sales lines working on the Admiral, Tecnomar, Perini Navi, Picchiotti, NCA Refit and Celi 1920 brands. As early as the delivery of the Admiral Platinum 78 m megayacht, Giovanni Costantino spoke of "a masterpiece of design and elegance that will leave an indelible mark on the nautical scene, a benchmark for large luxury yachts in the coming years". The crown jewel, presented at its world premiere at the Monaco Yacht Show, turned out to be the most exclusive and most eagerly awaited event precisely because of that promise to redefine the standards of luxury in the nautical world. The group kept that promise with the Admiral Jas 66 m, a superyacht with bold lines and a combination of luminous white and black fittings, and with the Admiral Silver Star-I, a 55-metre motor yacht with interiors by Giorgio Armani, a perfect balance of understated luxury and modernity, refined spaces and sophisticated details.
And sustainability? It is such an intrinsic part of the group's philosophy that Giovanni Costantino needs no preparation: "I'm very proud that most of our orders are looking for innovations of the hybrid. This is a path that began in 2016 with the launch of the Quinta Essentia 55-metre Admiral, the world's first hybrid-powered superyacht in its size range".
Somewhere between the past and the future, we now have the Spyder Admiral 88-metre, an extraordinary megayacht currently under construction, in collaboration with the design studios Espen Oeino International and FM Architettura. It is one of the most ambitious and innovative projects in luxury yachting, with sustainability among its distinguishing features. The Spyder's innovative diesel-electric propulsion system, including azipods, ensures low emissions and low fuel consumption thanks to five variable-speed generators, making it one of the most efficient and environmentally sustainable boats in its class.
In any case, this is the story of a seamless fusion between the finest nautical tradition, technological innovation and sustainability, celebrated at the launch of the new flagship Admiral 78, a vessel set to break new ground in luxury yachting by combining the elegance of tradition with advanced technology and a strong commitment to eco-sustainability.
"Its uniqueness lies in our ability to interpret beauty on every level. This passion stems from being Italian, from that Italian spirit that makes us so unique", explains Giovanni Costantino "because the Admiral 78 m is more than a megayacht. It's a promise of unforgettable seafaring experiences, combining innovation, elegance and a deep respect for the environment". And so? "The future of luxury yachting is already here".
The vision of a future shared with the team - and another happy piece of news, with his son Gianmaria - was fully in evidence at the presentation of the M/Y Raja2, the 55-metre Admiral aluminium superyacht from the highly successful S-Force series, which, commented Gianmaria Costantino as Chief Commercial Officer, embodies bold and sophisticated luxury. "Everything is designed to offer not only beauty, but also comfort and functionality with the elegant and powerful exterior, characterised by a sleek and dynamic profile that combines sophistication with a sporty edge". The New Deal was the culmination of a meticulously prepared generational process. Before joining TISG, Gianmaria, who graduated with honours in International Economics and Finance from the Luigi Bocconi University of Milan and holds a Master's degree in Finance from the Hult International Business School in London, gained experience at Meti Corporate Finance, iM Global Partner and BDO. As a member of the TISG Board of Directors since October 2022, he has already assisted the company's management team on commercial projects, gaining an experience of the business that as you might expect, covers every area. And what better occasion for young Gianmaria's debut than the presentation of the M/Y Raja, a project that stands out thanks to the unique design of each cabin, but which follows the same overarching theme of unpredictability with a dynamic, vibrant feel. It is not only an icon of style, it also combines high technology and performance.
Strolling through the elegant headquarters in Marina di Carrara, this harmonious path is revealed once again, this time with the outfitting of the steel and aluminium Galileo 82 m megayacht. This activity is proof of the continued growth of the American market, especially in the large full-custom segment, and is focused on the installation of cutting-edge technologies and interior layouts that promise to be among the most exclusive in the world.
We must also pay tribute to the sailing yacht Katana, the fourth in Perini Navi's 60-metre ketch series. Its launch marked an important milestone for this ambitious project, which combines technology and performance with uncompromising luxury. With an aluminium hull and superstructure, the yacht has carbon fibre masts, boom and rigging for maximum lightness and strength. One of the main innovations of this yacht is the redesigned sail system, which enhances its ease of handling and optimises performance at sea. NCA Refit is also proving to be one of the main international players in this business.
This is the beating heart of TISG, and the Global Order Book 2025 has confirmed its leading position as Italy's top builder of yachts with a total length above 50 metres, based on a world ranking calculated on the order books of 177 shipyards operating on five continents, ranking the best international builders of yachts over 24 metres. Giovanni Costantino has said he was "extremely proud" of this result, partly because "it came after a year full of great successes and sacrifices" for which "I thank and share this success with every member of the great team at The Italian Sea Group".
Under this blazon, after Monaco, The Italian Sea Group kicked off an already fantastic 2025 at the prestigious Dubai International Boat Show 2025 to consolidate its position in the Middle East, a dynamic area in continuous expansion. Here, at the sophisticated Behnemar|The Italian Sea Group stand, visitors admired the brand's flagship models: four Admirals, three Tecnomars and a Picchiotti. Also on display was the Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63 - still the perfect synthesis of luxury, performance and innovative design - and the elegant Tecnomar Evo120, a winning combination of style and functionality, engineering efficiency and cutting-edge design.
GIANMARIA COSTANTINO: "I AM FOCUSING ON THE NEW GENERATION OF SHIPOWNERS"
Gianmaria, when did you realise and then decide that your place would be in the company founded and launched by your father? After all, it wasn't a foregone conclusion.
I've lived and breathed the company since I was a child. The idea was to carry on this enterprise that my father created and has continued to manage in an exemplary manner to this day, embodying Italian excellence. I've always been very involved in the dynamics of the company and officially joined the Board a few years ago. In a way, the path for me was relatively obvious.
What was your first thought in taking over the management of TISG's global business operations, a role of great strategic responsibility for any company?
Sales management is a strategically important and very challenging role. As I'm also part of the family that owns most of the shares, I can represent the company with confidence. It enables me to establish a direct relationship with our shipowners, who really appreciate the opportunity to interact personally with the management.
The mood at the company, after so many successes, is that there is a new deal heading towards new horizons. What do you think your contribution might be?
Being relatively young, my contribution will be to bring a new approach to the shipowners. But I also want to introduce new project management methods and innovative ideas at every level of the company. In particular, I'm concentrating on the new generation of shipowners, who have a different set of requirements than in the past. They are more attuned to digital and to sustainability, and have a more innovative approach to managing their fleets. The objective is to create a more direct dialogue and to respond more effectively to these new challenges.