Superyacht cruising at sunset, elegant silhouette against a vivid sky and calm sea

Giovanni Costantino's Entrepreneurial Journey

From the initial acquisitions to the stock market listing and collaborations with iconic brands, every stage has strengthened The Italian Sea Group’s commitment to striving for perfection. This success is built on Giovanni Costantino’s entrepreneurial vision, which emphasizes an in-house approach and an organizational structure that guarantee complete control over quality and the production process.

Italy’s natural inclination for beauty orchestrates design, engineering, and style, revealing a vision in which Art achieves perfection.

Founder & CEO

HISTORY

Key Milestones

The Vision Begins

The origins of The Italian Sea Group trace back to 2009, when Giovanni Costantino ignited a new chapter in Italian shipbuilding. With the acquisition of Tecnomar, a name already synonymous with audacity and performance, he set in motion a vision that would redefine the very horizons of yachting. This was not merely the purchase of a shipyard; it was the declaration of an ambition. Mr. Costantino transformed Tecnomar into the first cornerstone of a greater design.

A Name of Sovereign Elegance

In 2011, Giovanni Costantino expanded his vision with the acquisition of Admiral, a heritage name revered for its sovereign elegance and timeless design. More than a brand, Admiral embodied a lineage of mastery, a tradition of yachts that had long commanded the respect of the seas. By bringing Admiral into the Group, Mr. Costantino united Tecnomar’s daring spirit with Admiral’s aristocratic prestige, forging a dual identity that balanced power with grace, innovation with heritage.

The Direct Gateway to the Sea

In 2012, Giovanni Costantino strengthened his vision with the acquisition of Nuovi Cantieri Apuania, a shipyard of formidable industrial capacity. With its extensive dry docks and advanced facilities, NCA provided the scale and engineering strength required to transform ambition into reality. This was more than an expansion; it was the forging of an arsenal. By integrating NCA into the Group, Mr. Costantino secured not only a strategic base on the Tyrrhenian coast, but the means to pursue projects of unprecedented magnitude.

The Name is Proclaimed

In 2013, the constellation of acquisitions and ambitions took form under a single identity: The Italian Sea Group. This rebranding was not a mere change of name, but the affirmation of a mission, to revive historic Italian shipyards, unite them under one house, and project their excellence upon the world stage. The name itself was a declaration of scope and pride: Italian heritage elevated to global recognition. With this act, Giovanni Costantino transformed a vision into a Group.

The Refit Start-Up

Following the creation of The Italian Sea Group, Giovanni Costantino channelled his entrepreneurial drive into a new venture: NCA Refit. Conceived as a start-up within the Group, NCA Refit was dedicated to the art of renewal, breathing new life into prestigious yachts. By transforming NCA into a hub for refit and maintenance, Mr.Costantino positioned the Group as a trusted long-term partner for the world’s most discerning Owners, ensuring that excellence was not confined to new builds but extended across every stage of a yacht’s life.

Icons in Alliance

In 2019, Giovanni Costantino sealed one of the most significant collaborations in contemporary yachting: the partnership between Tecnomar and Automobili Lamborghini. From this encounter of Italian excellence was born the Tecnomar for Lamborghini 63, a motor yacht conceived as a pure design statement, where nautical innovation met the futuristic lines of the automotive legend. This partnership went beyond co-branding; it was the fusion of two creative worlds driven by performance, vision, and style.

The Institutional Birth of The Italian Sea Group

Although already used to identify the group, The Italian Sea Group was formally established as an institutional entity in 2020. Guided by the vision of Giovanni Costantino, Italy’s finest yachting brands were united under one banner, marking a new era for nautical excellence

The Public Recognition

In 2021, The Italian Sea Group reached a decisive milestone with its listing on the Milan Stock Exchange. The move marked the transition from entrepreneurial vision to public recognition, opening the Group to the scrutiny and trust of international investors. The listing was more than a financial event; it was the affirmation of solidity, transparency, and long-term ambition. By entering the public market, Giovanni Costantino confirmed the Group’s stature as one of the great protagonists of global yachting.

Guardians of Legacy

In 2022, Giovanni Costantino accomplished a gesture of historic resonance: the acquisition of Perini Navi and Picchiotti. Perini Navi is the pioneer of large sailing yachts, and Picchiotti is a lineage dating back to 1575. By bringing them into The Italian Sea Group, Mr.Costantino did more than secure assets; he safeguarded legacies. He restored to the present two storied houses of Italian shipbuilding, ensuring their artistry, innovation, and heritage would not vanish but flourish anew under a single vision.

The Art of Wood

In 2023, Giovanni Costantino expanded the Group’s creative universe with the acquisition of Celi 1920, a historic atelier renowned for its masterful woodwork and bespoke interiors. For over a century, Celi had represented the Italian art of cabinetry, crafting refined environments for residences, yachts, and institutions worldwide. By bringing Celi into The Italian Sea Group, Mr. Costantino ensured that the most delicate expressions of craftsmanship would become an integral part of the Group’s vision. No longer a supplier, but a house within the house.

Enduring Vision

In 2024, The Italian Sea Group achieved a milestone in global prominence. It ascended to fourth place in the Global Order Book 2025, becoming Italy’s foremost builder of yachts exceeding fifty metres, and ranked second worldwide in that category. This placement crowned the Group’s relentless pursuit of scale, precision, and ambition. That same year, in a mark of generational continuity, Gianmaria Costantino was appointed Chief Commercial Officer. His appointment was welcomed across the management, as he brought with him experiences gained beyond the company.

Relentless Mastery

The year 2025 marked a season of achievement and anticipation for The Italian Sea Group. At the Monaco Yacht Show, the spotlight converged on the Group’s brands: Admiral, with the official debut of its 78-metre flagship, Raja, and the Admiral | Giorgio Armani collaboration; Perini Navi, with the unveiling of the 60-metre sailing yacht Katana; and Picchiotti, with the presentation of the Gentleman 24-metre. Together, these premieres embodied the diversity and strength of a portfolio capable of captivating Owners present and future. Not a conclusion, but a prelude of many creations to come.

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Vision

Through a strategic model of vertical integration, a constant drive for technological innovation, and a passion for design excellence, the Group has redefined the standards of luxury yachting.

In this forge of ideas, Costantino’s entrepreneurial vision blends with a profound knowledge of the sector, creating an environment where every detail, from conception to completion, is meticulously cared for. His ability to anticipate trends and invest in research and development has allowed the Group to stand out for its cutting-edge solutions, both in terms of performance and style.

In 2023, The Italian Sea Group received the World Superyacht Award, internationally regarded as the “Oscar of Yachting”, for the motor yacht KENSHŌ.

The award, collected by Giovanni Costantino, Founder & CEO of The Italian Sea Group, acknowledged the company’s outstanding contribution to design, innovation, and excellence within the superyacht industry.

KENSHŌ has also been honoured with several other prestigious international accolades, including “Best of Year Prize”, “Yacht and Aviation Award” and Robb Report’s “Best of the Best – Best of the Year 2023”, further confirming its status as an icon of contemporary yachting.

Life Saga superyacht at anchor, award-winning design blending sleek architecture with contemporary luxury

Cacos V superyacht cruising at sea, award-winning design recognised internationally for elegance and innovation

Gigreca sailing yacht under sail, elegant design with distinctive Silent sails gliding across turquoise waters

Quinta Essentia hybrid superyacht cruising at sea, the first diesel-electric yacht awarded for innovation and design

Through a strategic model of vertical integration, a constant drive for technological innovation, and a passion for design excellence, the Group has redefined the standards of luxury yachting.

The Italian Sea Group was born from the visionary genius of Giovanni Costantino, a prominent figure who transformed a bold entrepreneurial project into one of the most respected names in the global yachting industry.
In this forge of ideas, Costantino’s entrepreneurial vision blends with a profound knowledge of the sector, creating an environment where every detail, from conception to completion, is meticulously cared for. His ability to anticipate trends and invest in research and development has allowed the Group to stand out for its cutting-edge solutions, both in terms of performance and style.

Interviews

July – August 2025
We Wealth – Cover story: Interview the FOUNDER & CEO GIOVANNI COSTANTINO

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October 2025
Wall Street Italia presents an exclusive interview with Giovanni Costantino.

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October 2023
Nero Life Style – Cover story: interview of GIOVANNI COSTANTINO, Founder & CEO.

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April 2022 Economy
Economy Magazine explores Giovanni Costantino’s entrepreneurial philosophy.

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November 2021 Capital
Interview of Mr. Giovanni Costantino and Mr. Winkelmann

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Discover below the latest cover story of Forbes Italia, in which our Founder & CEO, Giovanni Costantino, recounts his story and the path that has led The Italian Sea Group to become a benchmark of Italian excellence today.

Read the interview

Discover below the latest cover story of Forbes Italia, where our Founder & CEO, Giovanni Costantino, shares his journey and the vision that has led The Italian Sea Group to stand as a true expression of Italian excellence today.

Read the interview

Wall Street Italia presents an exclusive interview with Giovanni Costantino, who shares his strategic vision and outlines The Italian Sea Group’s expansion plans on the global stage.

Read the interview