Naples is putting professional expertise behind its maritime ambitions. Matteo De Lise, president of the Naples Association of Chartered Accountants (Odcec Napoli), and Umberto Masucci, president of the Propeller Club Port of Naples, have signed a memorandum of understanding dedicated to the sea economy, shipping, logistics and port activities.
The agreement starts collaboration on training, research and technical analysis for professionals and maritime-port operators, with attention to business support, financing and sector development.
What the agreement covers
According to the reported sources, the protocol focuses on the specialist issues that shape shipping and logistics companies:
- taxation, accounting and financial statements for shipping and logistics
- customs rules and excise duties
- tonnage tax and incentives
- governance and sustainability
- subsidized finance and European funds
- energy transition and digitalization of ports
- monitoring of calls and tenders for maritime and port concessions
- business crisis management
The two organizations also plan to share projects and best practices and to consider joint applications to funding programmes.
For readers, the practical point is clear: the pact is aimed less at a single event and more at building continuing technical support around the fiscal, financial and administrative questions shipping operators face.
Timed with Naples Shipping Week 2026
The agreement comes during Naples Shipping Week 2026, which runs from 26 October to 1 November and brings together institutions, businesses, universities and research centres to discuss shipping, ports and the blue economy.
That context matters. Innovation, port competitiveness, sustainability and skills development are recurring themes in the Naples debate on the sea economy, including in a recent Propeller Club conference in Naples devoted to innovation, sustainability, open innovation and technological and financial tools for the maritime sector.
The new Odcec–Propeller Club cooperation therefore fits into a wider city programme rather than standing alone: a week when Naples is explicitly discussing the future of shipping and port activity.
Why accountants matter for shipping
Why would chartered accountants sign a maritime agreement? Because shipping decisions are heavily fiscal and financial.
Tonnage tax regimes, customs treatment, excise rules, EU funds, subsidized loans, concession procedures and company restructuring all require specialist accounting, tax and corporate advice. By linking the accountancy profession with a maritime business network, the agreement aims to give Naples-based operators easier access to that expertise.
For local professionals, the expected benefit is targeted training and study on maritime-port subjects. For shipping, logistics and port companies, it is more informed support on incentives, financing opportunities and compliance.
What to watch next
The sources acquired do not publish the full text of the protocol or a detailed operational calendar, and they do not yet report measurable results, participating companies or financing obtained through the agreement. The expected economic impact on the Naples maritime-port sector is also not quantified.
What readers can usefully watch for:
- Training and study initiatives announced jointly by Odcec Napoli and the Propeller Club Port of Naples, especially on taxation, tonnage tax, customs and subsidized finance.
- Guidance or monitoring activity on European funds, energy-transition programmes, port digitalization and concession tenders.
- Follow-up initiatives emerging from Naples Shipping Week discussions on competitiveness, sustainability and professional skills.
Taken together, the agreement signals how Naples wants to compete in the blue economy: not only through ships and quays, but through knowledge, finance and professional services around them.
