From Italy with Love: Ocean King May Be the Best Italian Shipyard... Until Now

Two Fort Lauderdale-based brokers with Denison Yachting, attended the Cannes Yachting Festival with a clear mission: to discover exceptional international yacht builders that lack representation in the Americas. 

This article was written by Jill Bobrow. Photography courtesy of Ocean King.

It was there that Ocean King debuted its striking 132-foot motor yacht, the Doge 400. After a thorough tour, Quintal and Noftsinger were left deeply impressed by the vessel’s bold aesthetics, superb craftsmanship, and robust engineering.

For many, including this writer, the name Ocean King may not be familiar. The Ocean King yacht yard originated from the Adriatic Shipyard—a commercial facility founded 35 years ago in Chioggia, Italy, just south of Venice, by twin brothers David and Alberto Ballarin. Specializing in repairs and maintenance of steel commercial vessels up to 100 meters and 5000 GT, Adriatic Shipyard operated primarily as a contractor for the navy and worked extensively on barges, tugboats, supply boats, and other utility vessels.

In 2007, the Ballarin brothers took a bold step beyond commercial shipbuilding with their state-of-the-art facility. Under the Ocean King name, they began subcontracting for renowned Italian yacht yards, building hulls, decks, and other major components. Soon after, they launched their own line of yachts, starting with explorer vessels.

David Ballarin recounts the birth of Ocean King’s first explorer: He and Alberto visited numerous boat shows, searching for a yacht that possessed the strength and character of a true ocean-going tug—qualities familiar from their commercial expertise. Their vision was a yacht offering outstanding safety, minimal maintenance, and was manageable by a small crew, ensuring a lasting investment for owners. This philosophy culminated in the complete rebuild of a commercial tugboat into a high-end expedition yacht, the Ocean King Explorer 130 M/Y Genesia, which earned a prestigious World Superyacht Award for originality and innovation in 2018.

Building on the success with explorer yachts, Ocean King expanded to luxury models, introducing the Ducale and Doge lines—pleasure yachts up to 50 meters, designed with explorer-level engineering at their core. Each Ocean King vessel benefits from the shipyard’s commercial heritage, while also showcasing the artistry and craftsmanship that define the marque Made in Italy.

“I have a good feeling about Ocean King,” Quintal shares. “It’s a family-owned shipyard, and everyone’s involved.” He is particularly struck that the Ballarin brothers, close to his own age, have spent over three decades serving the Adriatic region with commercial builds. David and Alberto continue to run the shipyard; David’s son Marco is an engineer there, and another son—recently graduated from university—manages commercial operations. It’s truly a family enterprise.

Ocean King also benefits from its enviable location. Chioggia, often called “Little Venice,” is a town with a rich history stretching back to ancient times. Its scenic canals, captivating architecture, 
lively markets, and excellent restaurants make it a gem across the lagoon from Venice. Nearby, visitors can enjoy beautiful beaches like Isola Verde and Sottomarina, renowned for its natural reefs frequented by scuba divers and snorkelers. For those willing to venture further, the Dolomites offer a spectacular drive. In Chioggia, the authentic Italian experience prevails—there’s a slower pace and a palpable sense of community. Ocean King reflects this authenticity.

“We visited Ocean King and got to know the Ballarin family,” Quintal notes. “We delved into their range of yachts and learned about their lines. It was reassuring to discover they’re a trusted source of metalwork for other yards we know well.” As a result, Quintal and Noftsinger secured an exclusive dealership and brand management partnership for Denison Yachting with Ocean King throughout the Americas.

While still relatively new to the market, Ocean King has successfully delivered its seventh yacht. Quintal praises the shipyard’s skilled workforce, available build slots, and competitive pricing by gross tonnage. “I have an active client who recently visited the yard and was blown away by the facility, the yachts, and the people,” he adds. In addition to the production lines—Explorer, Ducale, and Doge—the yard offers fully custom builds as well.

Ocean King debuted its latest delivered Doge 400 #2, Ocean Angel, at the 2025 Monaco Yacht Show.

Interested in advertising in the next issue of FRANK Magazine? CLICK HERE

Request a Copy