9 minute read
The yacht studio
Face to face with Federico Rossi, Chief Operating Officer of Rossinavi, the Viareggiobased yard that specialises in full-custom superyachts, unique craft tailor-made to reflect the wishes of their owner and all personalised with a strong artisanal input. The next generation yachts? Ecologically-aware, with artificial intelligence and, in future, autonomous
Interviewing Federico Rossi, Chief Operating Officer of Rossinavi, means talking about a Viareggio family that in 2007, a dismal year for the yacht-building industry, had the smarts and the courage to evolve, morphing from a company producing steel structures specialising in building yachts on commission into a yard creating yachts under its own brand, with full-custom superyachts, unique examples made to suit their owners’ requirements, with everything designed and built in the yard, from minute aluminium screws to streamlined hulls. The yard designs, smelts, welds, sweats, creates and dreams to create something that did not exist before, and perhaps could not even be imagined – like the yachts of the next generation, designed with an emphasis on ecological awareness and equipped with artificial intelligence. Always pushing the limits towards seas where few venture. “The most adrenaline-fuelled challenge is the ideal boat, entirely autonomous. It’s a long-term challenge, but we’re investing significant resources and energy in our research and development division in order to achieve this objective”. Rossinavi was founded in 2007 as a development of Cantiere Fratelli Rossi. How did this adventure come about, and how important is the family element? Cantiere Navale Rossi built pleasure yachts and work vessels for third parties. When the international crisis hit in 2007 the market shrank, of course. At the same time we realised we could become a brand and enter the market on our own account. We also had confidence in the fact that as we had a very streamlined corporate management structure our costs were exceptionally low, also bearing in mind that up to that time building boats for other yards meant we could leapfrog one or two elements of the commercial side of things. We enjoyed dizzying growth, which was also down to the confidence displayed in us by two clients – the first commissioned a 54-metre yacht called South and the second ordered a 70-metre craft called Numptia. These two large, important yachts were well-built and beautifully fitted out by the architects. They brought immediate success to the yard and since then our output has settled down at around two deliveries per year. The strength of the family is crucial, especially when that family can build yachts. We’ve built up a store of expertise that’s ours alone, and as we are a very close, supportive family, nobody can take that away from us. Every family member has taken charge of a strategic division of the company and we can all count on each other absolutely.
You build entirely bespoke yachts, unique, made-to-measure products that reflect the owner’s requirements. They also include a strong artisanal element. How do these dream yachts come into being? People who enter the world of yachts do so because they love the sea and love exploring an area that’s a natural frontier for humankind, and you can do this in a number of ways. Some just want a yacht, so they have a whole series of seriesbuilt models to choose from, while others want to experience the sea in their own way and seek something that’s tailored to their demands, their needs. That’s where we come in – we try to create yachts that reflect the trends of the moment. It’s a great advantage, because we’ve seen that for series
author: Francesca Gugliotta portrait photo: Courtesy of Rossinavi projects photo: Michele Chiroli (Florentia, Piacere), Courtesy of Rossinavi (LEL), Courtesy of Rossinavi and Pininfarina (Super Sport 65)
yachts, first they are imagined, then developed on a technical level. After that the series or semi-series supply chain is built, so by the time their launched onto the market you realise that on an intellectual and conceptual level they’re several years behind. Full-custom yachts, much more complex initially, are more up-to-date and on-trend. We find we are most frequently approached by more mature clients, owners who already have experience of the sea. They know how they want to live it and also know where to go. Still, it all develops from a dialogue, a conversation where the owner starts to lay down the ground rules for his or her build, and we take it from there. The perfect yacht in the widest sense doesn’t exist – what does exist is the perfect yacht for that particular client.
Who are your clients, and what type of relationship do you have with them? Our yachts develop alongside the client. Of course, if an understanding isn’t created then generally the yacht doesn’t come into being, either. Our clients are entrepreneurs, mainly European and American. We’ve built up experience with various types
LEL, Arrabito Naval Architects (Naval Architecture), Luca Dini Design (Exterior & Interior Design)
of owner – some wanted to explore remote areas, others wanted to spend time on board with their family and some spent less time on board and preferred to travel more quickly between the various destinations. With some very young clients the dialogue was much more rapid and precise. They all set new objectives for us, so it’s been a constant learning curve for us. One time we chose the hull livery on the basis of an old photo of the owner’s father who was swimming in the sea. The client noticed that the colour of his father’s swimming costume went very well with the colours of the sea, so we decided to paint the yacht in that exact shade.
What do your clients ask for most? What are the market trends? Yachts often tend to look remarkably similar, there are some things all owners ask for. One current trend, for example, is the beach club, an open-air area close to the water where guests can enjoy a close relationship with the sea. In the past the sea was seen more as a danger, and yachts tended to be enclosed and protected. The same goes for the sun – yachts used to provide much more shelter from the sun’s rays, while now we prefer large windows and outdoor spaces. How do you choose your partners? Which designers do you work with most often? The designers we work with most often are Enrico Gobbi and Fulvio De Simoni. We see them as leaders in naval design. Althought they’re very different, they’re both highly prestigious architects. Some owners choose the architect directly, while at other times we analyse the client and on this basis we suggest several architects and designers, and then they select the ones that appeal to them most. As for our suppliers, they’re all companies we’ve been working with for a long time. It would be hard to change because we try to create a close working relationship and develop a mutual expertise.
What your most recent projects, and what will you be presenting at the boat shows in September? At the Monaco show in September we’re presenting our latest 70-metre diesel-electric yacht designed by Enrico Gobbi. As for new developments in the next generation of yachts, the innovations will occur in the context of ecological awareness and artificial intelligence.
Piacere, Arrabito Naval Architects (Naval Architecture), Horacio Bozzo Design (Exterior Design), Team For Design – Enrico Gobbi (Interior Design)
The Infinity Project stands out among your recent projects. What does that involve? Infinity is a yacht that seeks to camouflage the large dimensions of spaces and the decks. We looked to the skills of Fulvio De Simoni to create the lines that would clothe this concept. Another feature of this project is the extremely dynamic aft area that’s very close to the sea and whose upper elements are extremely panoramic.
You’ve worked with Pininfarina on concepts that echo the sleek, elegant lines of famous GT sports cars with yachts like the Super Sport 65, Super Sport 50 and Aurea, the first collaboration of 2017. How did this relationship come about, and what new builds are in the pipeline for Pininfarina-Rossinavi? Our collaboration with Pininfarina has been an all-Italian success. The ICE (Italian Trade Agency) in Miami saw that our yachts involve exceptional artisanal skills and content, and they had the idea of putting us in contact with a company that has made Italy a great power in the design world. Although Pininfarina worked in the auto industry, Giancarlo Albano, the president of ICE, had the brilliant idea of introducing us and this synergy has resulted in three projects. They are extremely exclusive yachts, and our collaboration is destined to continue, there are sure to be new designs further down the line.
You’re ambassador for Parley for the Oceans, a non-profit environmental organisation that focusses on protecting our oceans. How important is sustainability for Rossinavi? Rossinavi feels a deep sense of responsibility towards the concept of sustainability. There are some people who decide things, others who have to endure them. An industry that produces can try to educate the market, and can begin to decide if the next generation of yachts can place more emphasis on green issues. Yachts travel to some lovely areas, and if we want to keep on producing boats that spend time in these places, then those destinations must be protected. Protecting these places also means building craft with a small environmental footprint.
Super Sport 65, Pininfarina (Exterior and Interior Design)
Talking about the market, what’s the situation been like over the past year? I have to say it’s been incredible. It was worrying at first, with health being a primary concern, as people work in close contact in a shipyard. Secondly, there was also some uncertainty about how markets could respond to a lockdown like the one we’ve experienced. Unexpectedly we’ve seen that some markets have done well, so we focussed our attention on that type of client. We also soon realised that luxury ownership was beginning to become a much greater market force than before. The desire to own a villa, yacht or private jet where you can establish your own balance became even more important and we found ourselves in a market segment that has experienced an overall increase in turnover during the pandemic.
You like high altitudes. What are the most exciting peaks and challenges presented by the yacht-building industry you’d like to overcome? We build on commission, so we initiate dialogues and share visions. That’s why I think my greatest ambition is to find people, who then for obvious reasons become clients, who have a truly innovative vision. We believe that the far-sightedness shown by our clients will enhance the quality of what will then become our product. So we’re investing in the quality of our clientele, and my greatest ambition is to build boats for people who have had a positive revolutionary effect on the world. The most exciting challenge for me is the Utopian yacht, a vessel that’s entirely autonomous. There’s some way to go yet, but we’re investing lots of energy and resources in our research and development to achieve this objective.
