The future of nautical design arrives in Venice: the Master in High-End Nautical Design unveiled
In the prestigious setting of the Venice Boat Show, amid the historic architecture of the Arsenale and the timeless charm of the lagoon, the Master’s Degree in High-End Nautical Design” developed in collaboration with LINK University , was officially presented this afternoon. The program aims to become a benchmark in the training of future professionals for the superyacht and luxury boating industry.
Hosted inside the Arsenale Tower, the event brought together institutions, designers, companies, and key players from the Italian nautical supply chain, once again confirming Venice’s strategic role as an international capital of design and nautical innovation.
A master’s program designed for superyacht professionals
The Master will officially begin on October 8, 2026, and stands out for its highly practical approach focused on the real needs of shipyards. At the heart of the educational experience will be the design of a recreational vessel of approximately 500 GT, featuring green propulsion systems and conceived to be as barrier-free and accessible as possible.
The goal of the program is to train professionals capable of combining the excellence of Made in Italy design with the most advanced engineering technologies, meeting the demands of a market increasingly oriented toward the luxury segment and next-generation yachting
“We want to respond directly to the needs of shipyards by placing talented young professionals within structures that are undoubtedly among the best in the world”, emphasized Franco Gnessi, naval architect, General Secretary of ASPRONADI, and creator of the Master.
To guarantee the highest academic standards, the program — aimed at graduates in technical, engineering, and design disciplines — will feature a faculty composed of leading figures from the international nautical sector, including architect Paolo Ferrari, maritime lawyer Andrea Patregnani, superyacht builder Maurizio Magri, artist and industry expert Giangi Razeto, and ISYBA President Massimo Malaspina, a specialist in brokerage negotiations and contracts within the sector.
The entire Master program will be delivered in a blended format, with each student working on dedicated stations equipped with the reference software RHINOCEROS.
The leading names of Italian yachting in discussion
The presentation of the Master, structured as a dynamic talk-style conference, also represented an important opportunity for discussion among some of the most authoritative figures in the Italian nautical industry.
Moderated by Fabio Legni, Advisory Board Member of Assonautica Italiana, the event featured speeches and contributions from Giovanni Acampora, President of Assonautica Italiana, Antonio Bufalari, General Secretary, Elena Magro for Assonautica Veneto, and Antonio Toffanelli representing LINK University.
During the discussion, several experts explored the key themes of the training program. Architect Paolo Ferrari addressed accessibility and inclusive onboard design, while shipbuilder Maurizio Magri illustrated the technical complexities involved in constructing a high-end yacht.
Additional contributions came from Nicola Pomi, who provided technological insights into Volvo systems, supplier of the IPS 40 propulsion platform that will power the vessels developed during the Master, and Massimo Malaspina, President of ISYBA, who shared a strategic perspective from the brokerage sector.
Master in High-End Nautical Design: How to Enroll
Enrollment for the first edition of the Master is already open. Admission to the program will be subject to a technical and introductory interview aimed at assessing each candidate’s skills and academic background.
Prospective students can request an appointment with the Master Office or contact the university directly at: segreteriapostgraduate@unilink.it.
