2024 March/April Marina World

SUPERYACHT FACILITIES
Lusben development
boosts refit standards
Lusben, the historic refit and repair yard, which is now part of the Azimut-
Benetti Group, is transforming the Italian port of Livorno into a one-stop
service centre for motor and sailing megayachts. The overarching project also
involves shipyards in Varazze and Viareggio. Donatella Zucca reports
Strengthened by a 2,500 ton shiplift,
a 180m (590ft) long floating dock, a
pressurised paint booth (ventilated and
heated up to 70°C/158°F), and much
more, the Lusben development project
offers unprecedented standards for
luxury yacht refits.
The commitment is made easier by
being part of the Azimut-Benetti Group;
the largest builder in the world of yachts
over 24m (79ft). The biggest yachts are
built in Livorno where Benetti is able
to simultaneously build three vessels
of over 100m (330ft) and launch them
within 100 days. Examples include the
107m (351ft) yachts Luminosity and
Lana, and the 108m (354ft) IJE.
Part of the Lusben upgrade also
sweetens the path for sailing yachts.
Since 2022 a new concession basin
has been able to accommodate vessels
such as the famous 88m (289ft)
three-masted Maltese Falcon, which
has recently been refitted. A modular
inspection pit is being constructed for
sailing ship daggerboards up to 70m
(230ft), with variable width and depth
so as to also receive fully extended
centreboards and manage the entire
maintenance process.
Lusben also features a ‘technical’
marina with perfectly equipped docks
and moorings for the largest vessels,
supported by free Wi-Fi, concierge and
24-hour mooring assistance including
connection/disconnection of electricity
supply. A dedicated car park, CCTV
video surveillance and a security guard
complete the picture.
Currently, and still within the scope
of Azimut-Benetti, Lusben also has
important infrastructure and equipment
in Marina di Varazze and also in
Viareggio but it owes much to its own
history of offering refits and tailormade
services for every type of vessel
since 1956. It continues to offer a 360°
customer care dedicated to captains
and crew before, after and during the
refit process. There are guest quarters
and entertainment areas, laundry,
tailoring, and cleaning and security
services when yachts are unmanned.
Various touristic, cultural, sporting
and medical services are available via
specific partners as well as training
courses and fully-equipped offices.
Equally important is the management
service covering technical
documentation relating to the rules,
regulations and requirements inherent
to refit and repair activities, which must
Lusben Livorno is being developed to work
on the world’s largest yachts.
be obtained from classification bodies
to guarantee the safety of people and
transported goods.
Heading up the expansion of Lusben
is Giorgio Casareto, director of Marina
di Varazze, and responsible for the
development of the other Azimut-
Benetti marinas as general manager of
the new corporate structure. He works
with Giovanni Paladino, the commercial
director, Alessandro Lazzerini, who
heads up production, planning,
logistics and project management,
and procurement manager Leonardo
Santini.
The total project figure runs at €19
million, of which €12 million is being
spent on Livorno alone. Within three
years, this substantial investment
will see delivery of a new 22ha (54.3
acre) basin area – and thus even more
opportunity for refit projects to build
on Lusben’s success, which has a
growth forecast
of around 10%
per annum for
the next three
years. The yard
closed 2023
with a turnover
of around €45
million but
Paladino is
cautious, “it’s
possible that
Giovanni Paladino
2024 could be slower depending on
how the market goes.”
In the near future, Lusben will benefit
from the close proximity of a 600-berth
tourist port thanks to the recent, hard
fought 40-year concession obtained by
Porta a Mare SpA. This company was
founded in 2003 with the involvement
of Azimut-Benetti but the Group
subsequently pulled out. “The project
does not involve Lusben,” Paladino
clarifies, “but having a nice marina
nearby, like our competitors in Antibes
and Barcelona, can only be positive.
Having tourist areas and ports around
is good.”
Talking to Paladino
Q: You have experience in other areas
outside Lusben. Is there a sector or
company that has particularly inspired
you or given you inspiration for running
this business?
A: Certainly Bombardier, in the
approach to the product as well as
the production, in after-sales service
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