Nanni & ZF: a technological alliance for effortless navigation

In the world of marine propulsion, some collaborations go far beyond a simple industrial partnership. The partnership between Nanni and ZF embodies a shared vision: to offer a smoother, more intuitive, and more reliable navigation experience.  

A partnership based on performance and integration  

The partnership between Nanni and ZF is based on the integration of transmission and control systems into Nanni engines to offer a new navigation experience.   

ZF, a world leader in marine propulsion systems, supplies Nanni with several key product ranges, including:  

• Marine transmissions, with a wide range of models now used by Nanni, from the ZF25 to the ZF3060 for shaft line applications, as well as the SD12 and SD15 Sail Drives.  

• Control and command systems for marine propulsion, compatible with all types of engines and transmissions. 

When the engine and transmission are developed to work in harmony, the result is natural: smoothness throughout the marine propulsion chain, ensuring optimized power, reduced response time, and easier maneuvering in all situations, even the most challenging ones.  

As for the customer experience, it does not end with the use of an engine: it also continues during maintenance. It is with this in mind that Nanni and ZF are working to create a more coherent network, bringing them closer to their customers. 

A long-standing collaboration  

The two companies have been working together for over 40 years. Their partnership has grown stronger over the years, based on shared goals: innovation, long-term reliability, and end-user satisfaction.  

This lasting relationship is based on a mutual understanding of the challenges of the marine market and a shared ambition to remain a trusted partner for marine propulsion for both professionals and recreational boaters.  

“This partnership with Nanni is above all a story of trust and a shared long-term vision”, says Massimiliano Cotterchio, Head of Sales & Marketing, Product Line Pleasure Craft at ZF.  

“Extending this partnership with ZF means choosing to continue to move forward together. By combining the best of the engine and the best of propulsion, we are building propulsion solutions that are increasingly consistent, fluid, and relevant for our customers”, said Michele Insom, Head of Spare Parts & Marketing Director at Nanni. 

Nanni and ZF: two stories, one vision  

About ZF  

ZF is a global technology company supplying advanced mobility products and systems for passenger cars, commercial vehicles and industrial technology.Its comprehensive product range is primarily aimed at vehicle manufacturers, mobility providers and start-up companies in the fields of transportation and mobility. ZF electrifies a wide range of vehicle types. With its products, the company contributes to reducing emissions, protecting the climate as well as enhancing safe mobility. Alongside the automotive sector – passenger cars and commercial vehicles – ZF also serves market segments such as construction and agricultural machinery, wind power, marine propulsion, rail drives and test systems. 

With some 161,600 employees worldwide, ZF reported sales of €41.4 billion in fiscal 2024. The company operates 161 production locations in 30 countries. 

About Nanni 

For decades, Nanni has been designing and manufacturing marine engines known and recognized for their robustness, reliability, and comfort-oriented design. The company places the user at the heart of its developments, with a simple promise: technology you trust, comfort you feel.  

With one factory in France and one in Italy, the Nanni range now covers a wide spectrum of marine solutions, including marine propulsion engines ranging from 10 to 2,200 horsepower, to meet the needs of all applications, from light pleasure craft to superyachts, to the most demanding professional vessels.  

The ZF technology integrated into Nanni engines thus offers a complete propulsion solution for the nautical market. 

Looking ahead: ambitious projects in the pipeline 

The partnership between Nanni and ZF is constantly evolving. The two companies are currently working together on the development of a new steering and maneuvering system integrated into the engine and transmission, scheduled for release in June 2026, with advanced features and optimized user experience.  

Beyond this launch, other longer-term projects are already under consideration: new propulsion architectures, increasingly intelligent and connected solutions, and innovations focused on ease of use and reliability. 

One thing is certain: innovation will remain at the heart of this collaboration, with a clear ambition to improve navigation performance by ensuring seamless system integration. 

Learn more about ZF: Marine > Applications & Products – ZF