A dynamic, tireless and enthusiastic maritime agent since time immemorial, Umberto Masucci also holds, among his many positions, that of president of the national Propeller Club and the Propeller Port of Naples. And it is in his latest role that we ask him a few questions.
What is the Propeller for you and what does it represent for the shipping world?
“It is a commitment that I carry out with passion because I think the Propeller is an association that can bring together, both locally, nationally and internationally, the entire Maritime Cluster, in ports and logistics. And this also represents added value with stakeholders for a Cluster that, in employer associations, it is not always represented in a unified way.”
When was it born and with what goals and functions?
“It was born in the 1920s in the United States and then, in the following decades, it landed in Europe as well. For the past forty years, in Italy, we broke away from the American Propeller and formed The International Propeller Clubs Italia, whose main purpose is to create a culture of shipping, ports and logistics and to raise a positive lobby in favor of our industry.”
How many clubs and how many members are there in Italy and Campania?
“In 2024, we reached twenty-six clubs with 1,400 members, while in Campania, with the clubs of Naples and Salerno, we reach about two hundred members.”
What is your vision for the Campania port system from both the naval, commercial and yachting?
“The great strength of the Campania port system is multi-functionality: in Naples there are cruises, high-speed sea transport and ferries, Motorways of the Sea, grains, various cargos and containers in addition to shipbuilding and petroleum products. In Salerno mainly Motorways of the Sea, containers and bulk, and lastly, cruises as well. Boating is more widespread along the Campania coast, with significant marinas in Mergellina, Castellammare di Stabia and Salerno. It has grown a lot lately and bodes well for the the future.”
