With a volume of exports of over 1395 million Euro in 2007, this sector is the first on the list of main commodities exported by the Venice province, though recording an increase of 27.2% compared with 2006.
One of the most influential is certainly that of the aeroplane sector (over 421 million Euro worth of exports in 2007) whose activity – represented by the Officine Aeronavali, Oan – has specialised in the development, manufacture and maintenance of parts of aircrafts.

The production of ships and crafts also constitutes one of the main economic sectors of the Venice province, with an export value of over 800 million Euro in 2007 (+130.4% compared with 2006).
The sector of the major shipyard and naval engineering, located at Marghera, which boasts job orders until 2008 is represented by Fincantieri, the covered space of which extends to 380,000m2, where cruise ships and cruise-ferries of up to 250,000 tonnes can be built.  The sector employs 1,288 workers, to which at least the same number in allied industries must be added, thus featuring a relevant economic importance in the province of Venice thanks to the high technical skill, the research into design, the capability of the craftsmen which contribute to make the Venetian shipbuilding be appreciated world-wide.
To demonstrate the strong projection of the major Venetian shipyards towards the world market of the sector, suffice it to remember that “boats and crafts” are in 1st place on the list of main commodities exported by the Venice province.
The shipbuilding of Marghera also produces a whole series of other crafts: motor launches – speedboats, cabin-cruisers, yachts, fishing boast – for sailing and industry – the latter for the most part destined for activities in the Laguna – built by twenty shipyards which employ 300 employees to which must be added just as many as regards allied industries in which the nautical upholstery sector is significant.
The shipyards dedicated to the so-called minor scale nautical world – jewel of the lagoon tradition – are also located within the historical centre of Venice, where small yards and naval carpenters produce: working boats, small boats of less than 10 metres in length and boats characteristic of the Venetian lagoon (gondolas, mascarete, carline, toppe). From the initiative of some professionals of the sector, comes the Consorzio per la Cantieristica Minore Veneziana, which associates, supports and promotes a score of small and medium sized companies located in the nautical centre of Giudecca.
To promote the sector of Venetian shipyard work, Consormare – Consortium for the promotion of nautical tourism in Veneto, with about 35 associated companies operating in the nautical sector and its allied activities – organises the “Salone Nautico Internazionale di Venezia – Festival del mare” every March. The most significant exhibitors of the sectors of the marine world participate, with particular regard to the nautical sector, marketing of pleasure boats, cruise ships, fishing boats, tourist boats and boats for internal waterways, to tourist – recreational infrastructure, to navigation equipment, with a strong presence of vintage style motorboats.
Following the Law of the Veneto Region no. 8/2003 and subsequent amendments, the Distretto della Cantieristica Nautica Veneziana has also been set up. 250 companies of the province’s nautical sector are members and their activities and production are characterised by tradition, experience, innovation and high quality.
Geographically, the production activities connected with the sector are concentrated mainly in the municipality of Venice.  The 120 local producers are in fact 57% of the overall maritime production units of the area. The second municipality of importance is Chioggia with over 36 local units, 17% of the total number of companies of the area.