New inspection pit at Lusben

Important news from Lusben, where Ferdinando Pilli took up the role of General Manager in September 2024. With a career spanning many years, Pilli has held key posts in major shipyards and acquired in-depth knowledge of both the new-build and refit markets. He joined Azimut|Benetti Group in 2018 and until recently was Custom Operations Director at its Benetti division.

“I’m excited to embark on this new adventure, joining this important player at a time of rapid development, where the key words that will guide our entire team are innovation and efficiency,” said Ferdinando Pilli, new General Manager of Lusben.

With Pilli at the helm, the division will continue on its path of innovation and expansion as a major hub for refit and repair work on large motor and sailing yachts, with renovation and construction work currently under way on new infrastructure worth a total of €12 million.

The recently inaugurated new keel pit for sailing yachts in the Livorno yard is the largest in the Mediterranean. An impressive 8.5 metres deep and 3.5 metres wide, the pit makes it possible to perform maintenance and repair work on canting keel yachts up to 70 metres in length, significantly expanding the range of services offered by Lusben and the target it can reach.

The generous size of the new facility allows both routine and extraordinary maintenance to be performed, including complex painting operations and work on keels. Remarkably versatile, it can accommodate sailing yachts up to 70 metres long and also be used to work on motoryachts thanks to two cement slabs that cover the pit.

New inspection pit at Lusben

In addition to the new pit for sailing yachts, Lusben has completed significant renovation work in the site’s dock area. A new yard has been created in a previously unused area, with the capacity to accommodate up to five 50-metre yachts plus one gigayacht or two 70-metre yachts, offering up to seven slots in this first refurbished lot. This area provides all essential services for yachts, including water for air conditioning, freshwater and seawater, and black and grey-water discharging systems.

Lusben has also renewed another lot, which can now accommodate two yachts up to 40 metres in length, while a new quay is currently in the process of renovation. These developments are part of a wider-ranging expansion plan designed to optimise the Livorno shipyard’s efficiency and capacity.

To further improve yacht management and handling, Lusben has also invested around €2 million in a new trailer for boats up to 80 metres long. It will work alongside the existing trailer for yachts up to 70 metres, making it possible to move two boats at the same time. This investment not only increases operating capacity but also boosts the efficiency of the various processes by reducing wait times and improving overall management of boats in the yard.

Lusben Commercial Director Gianni Paladino emphasised the strategic importance of these investments, commenting: “The beginning of the season shows that we are moving in the right direction and points to a scenario in line with our planned growth strategies.”

On completion, scheduled for the end of 2026, the site’s total area will reach 220,000 square metres, made up of 90,000 square metres of yard area and 130,000 square metres of water surface. The plans include spaces for 35 units on land and 32 at sea. It will also be possible to accommodate up to three ships longer than 100 metres.

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