In a global superyacht fleet that has grown exponentially in both size and complexity, refit shipyards are no longer judged solely on technical ability. Today, owners, captains and managers are seeking partners who can deliver precision engineering, absolute reliability and outstanding customer service.
Few shipyards embody this holistic approach quite like Amico & Co, a Genoa-based superyacht refit, repair and maintenance specialist renowned for managing some of the most complex refit projects in the world, catering to yachts from 30 to 140 metres.
At its heart, however, Amico & Co remains a family business, whose roots stretch back more than two centuries.
A family story spanning more than 200 years
The Amico family has been repairing boats since 1799, when Matteo Amico established his first yard in Loano. That generational knowledge has passed from father to son ever since, forming the foundation of a business culture built on continuity and trust. The modern iteration of the company, Amico & Co, was founded in 1991 by Alberto Amico, a consistently decisive, active presence in guiding and managing the company.
When the yard first opened its doors, the superyacht market looked very different. “At that time, the global superyacht fleet was only up to about 40 metres,” Amico recalls. “We were talking about just 800 to 900 superyachts in the world [compared to today’s 14,000-plus]. It was a very young market, and there were no refit infrastructures dedicated just to superyachting.”
Genoa, now one of the Mediterranean’s most important yachting hubs, was not an obvious choice at the time. Convincing international clients to bring their yachts to Italy required patience and persistence. “Little by little, we gained confidence and increased our reputation,” says Amico. Today, around 90 per cent of Amico & Co’s clients are international.
The advantages of a family-run shipyard
While many large refit facilities operate within rigid corporate structures, Amico & Co’s family-run model remains one of its defining strengths. “Being a family-run shipyard means that the chain of command in the work is very short,” he explains. “We really put human resources at the centre, as well as the exchange of information, from the production guys to the top management.”
This is critical when managing dozens of yachts simultaneously, each with different scopes of work, regulatory requirements and owner expectations. “Refit and repair require everyone to make lots of decisions every day, and they have to be the right decisions,” Amico adds. “You can’t do this with a rigid hierarchy and long chain.”
Managing complexity at the highest level
Amico & Co is particularly known for its ability to handle highly complex refit and rebuild projects. Each year, the shipyard manages more than 130 projects, ranging from routine seasonal maintenance to full-scale rebuilds. Among these are eight to 10 high-complexity refits annually, often involving extensive paint works, major engine or generator overhauls and propulsion upgrades.
“There is then the top level of complexity,” explains Manuel Di Tillio, technical and sales director. “This is when we do a rebuild rather than a refit. That means lengthening, changing the shape, completely redoing the interior and sometimes replacing all the main systems. It is something we are totally ready for and capable of managing.”
With complexity comes risk, and delivering projects on time and on budget is one of the most critical measures of success in refit. “To ensure this, you need a good mix of elements, starting with managing expectations,” says Di Tillo. “It’s essential to identify the main jobs and establish a proper budget.”
“Clients feel that we are a good partner in figuring out the potential of a yacht,” Amico continues. “Our experience and technical database allow us to understand what makes sense from a technical, classification and safety point of view — and also from a budget perspective. This exercise costs the client nothing; it’s based on the relationship, and it’s really appreciated.”
In-house expertise as a strategic advantage
One of Amico & Co’s defining characteristics is the scale and depth of its in-house capabilities. The shipyard can manage up to 35 yacht projects simultaneously, supported by more than 4,500 square metres of workshops, including 1,600 square metres dedicated to carpentry and shipwrights, and 900 square metres for engine and mechanical facilities.
“Having in-house departments and know-how allows us to manage things in the best manner, including external contractors,” Amico explains. “When you have the know-how, you speak the same language. That helps with time efficiency and cost efficiency.”
Specialist internal departments cover metalwork, engineering, painting, carpentry and interior refit. Recent investments have significantly expanded the shipyard’s metalwork capabilities, with dedicated workshops equipped for cutting, welding, bending and prefabrication. These facilities support everything from complex structural modifications and lengthening projects to routine pipework and installations.
Amico & Co also offers a fully in-house, premium-grade yacht paint service, delivering certified and guaranteed results from primer through to topcoat. Furthermore, the engineering department is equipped to handle shaft alignment, engine and generator servicing and full repowering projects, and the shipyard’s wood workshops offer over 30 years of craftsmanship for both interior and exterior projects.
State-of-the-art facilities in the heart of Genoa
Amico & Co’s infrastructure is among the most advanced in the Mediterranean. Spanning more than 60,000 square metres, including approximately 43,000 square metres of land area and 20,000 square metres of water surface, the shipyard features 10 covered work slots equipped with centralised utilities, heating, overspray recovery and environmental control systems.
The yard’s 4,000-tonne ShipLift can haul, launch and manoeuvre superyachts up to 95 metres LOA using a synchronised winch system and independent work slots. A covered, 102-metre dry dock, complete with heating, ventilation and emission treatment systems, allows for large-scale painting and structural works regardless of weather conditions.
“Our focus has been on our facilities since the beginning,” says Amico. “We’ve always been innovative. Our travel lifts were the biggest in the world at the time, and we built the first refit sheds in the Med dedicated to yacht refit.”
Waterfront Marina: Extending the refit experience
Opened in 2021, Waterfront Marina represents a natural extension of Amico & Co’s holistic approach. Located just a short tender ride from the shipyard, the marina offers 26 moorings for yachts up to 120 metres and serves as a flexible operational base before, during and after refit periods.
“Clients don’t just need a shipyard. They need a place for quick crew refreshes, minor maintenance and smooth transitions. It’s real added value,” says Di Tillo. "The marina also helps minimise costly shipyard time by allowing preparation and post-refit activities to take place outside the yard itself.”
Hospitality facilities at Waterfront Marina include crew lounges, gyms, yoga studios, sports courts, training rooms, concierge services, shuttle transport and even medical care.
A long-term commitment to the environment
Sustainability has been embedded in Amico & Co’s operations for decades. Electrified docks have been in place since 2007, supported by ongoing investments in emission-reduction systems and energy-efficient technologies. A newly installed photovoltaic plant now covers 53 per cent of the yard’s energy needs.
Amico & Co was the first Italian shipyard to achieve ISO 14001 environmental management certification and is a partner of the Water Revolution Foundation.
Despite its scale and success, the shipyard is built not just on infrastructure and expertise, but on a genuine passion for the craft. Ask Amico whether he has ever been tempted to enter the world of new build construction and his answer is a testament to this. “We enjoy refits too much,” he says with a smile. "They offer immediacy and complexity, whereas new builds follow a more extended and carefully sequenced process."
To discover more about Amico & Co’s superyacht refit and repair services, contact the shipyard directly.
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