Amico: “Yet, we’re not budging” / INTERVIEW

Genoa - “No, we’re not threatening to get out of Genoa. We are threatening to remain here...” Alberto Amico attempts to make light of the situation, one that at another time would be enough to deter further investment. Fortunately, for Amico & Co it’s been a favourable period: the shipyard has firmly established itself among the top three in the world, business is good, the brand is now very recognizable, especially in foreign markets. “From that point of view, we can’t complain,” admits the firm’s president. “When it comes to the conditions in which we operate, then it’s a different story.”

The latest in a string of nasty surprises is a document called “three-year operational plan”. The 94 page document has been put together by the Port Authority, in it “the topic of ship repairs is never mentioned. There is only one reference to Fincantieri’s repositioning at Sestri Ponente. That’s it, other undertakings don’t get a mention. Does that seem normal?” Things don’t look very normal either in the case of the breakwater wharf, a necessary project to prevent waves surging over the southern part of the shipyard: “The project has suddenly disappeared from the port’s business plan. Ditto for the electrification of the docks, which was planned and has been introduced in other areas of the port: it was cancelled abruptly for the docks we are using. We ended up doing both improvement jobs ourselves, at our expense. And you know what? To cap off this outrageous situation,” continues Mr. Amico, “someone that opposes the construction of the breakwater, asked the Port Authority to deny us permission.”

One of the many “hostile actions,” as the entrepreneur puts it, which the shipyard has to contend with. There’s been at least half a dozen or more attempts to clip their wings with red tape, recalls CEO Bruno Guglielmini: “There’s even been opposition to the awarding of ‘basin 2’ to Mr. Amico and, then, against the refitting of the tank’s retractable cover, a €2.5 million project, at our expense, necessary, for instance, to carry out work on a mega yacht [that of film director Steven Spielberg, ed.]. The authorities’ inaccuracy when awarding building permits which are regularly granted to us are put into question: stuff you wouldn’t believe.” “Our feeling,” reveals Mr. Amico, “is that in Genoa rules get created that apply only to Genoa. We’ve asked for an extension of the concession, also in consideration of the investments that we have made: the response is slow in coming, and we fear that it’ll be way below our reasonable expectations. On the other hand, if we had to wait each time for an official response before investing, we would already be out of business. Surprised? Not that much. Unfortunately, that’s the way things go. There is probably a sector of the population here that thrives on earnings from their “acquired rights, one that opposes growth and development.

There’s then the yacht clubs that attempt to block the implementation of the Blueprint for the port, but there are also businessmen opposed to the changes, who in turn influence the direction of local government. “In spite of everything, we’re moving forward. We are a healthy company, with a strong balance sheet, we are among the world leaders in the field: we can afford it. But I do sometimes wonder why I even bother.” The latest initiative (in conjunction with the Pesto company) was the request for concession of the dock at the fairgrounds. “Actually, we want a section of it, not for industrial activities but for mooring of large yachts in transit. The dock is an unfinished project, two docks out of three are missing and there are floating piers which, at most, can accommodate zodiacs or 10 to 15 metre boats. Not to mention the electrification and ground infrastructure, which are totally inadequate. The point is that we’d be able to guarantee significant investment to bring to fruition a project that, until now, has been such a burden on Genoese taxpayers; and a place that, for more than seven years, has stood desolately half-empty for 11 months a year. I just hope that what happened with Genoa airport, with the tender not being awarded, will not repeat itself here.”

Another pending issue is the privatization of Ente Bacini. “It’s clear to all, because that’s how it best works all over the world, that the only solution is integrating private shipyards with public port-side areas. But in Genoa, for six years now, we’ve been waiting to get an answer on whether it’s better to have a totally public facility or one with a vertical integrated chain of operations. For six years! Meanwhile, the Port Authority has introduced a transitional regime, entrusting some basins to private initiative: suddenly, financial losses have been considerably reduced. Can there be better proof?”