Canados was founded in 1946 on the site of a former seaplane base along the Tiber River near Rome, Italy. The shipyard's first order came from the Coast Guard for the construction of eight patrol boats, delivered in 1953. During the launch ceremony of these new vessels, a representative of a Persian emir requested a custom yacht for the royal family. This request marked a pivotal moment for the company, steering it towards specializing in yacht construction. Since then, Canados has launched over 800 hulls.

In early 2016, the shipyard was acquired by French entrepreneur Michel Karsenti, owner of Oceanic Yachts. Karsenti immediately announced the launch of a new yacht series, the Gladiator. Within just six months, the first hull, the 27-meter Canados 90 Gladiator, was unveiled, garnering positive reviews from yachting experts and sparking interest among buyers.

Canados operates a manufacturing facility located at the mouth of the Tiber River, 35 kilometers from central Rome. The site includes covered sheds totaling 80,000 square meters, refit and service areas, two private marinas, and administrative buildings. Its direct access to the sea allows the shipyard to conduct sea trials in real maritime conditions. Additionally, the company benefits from access to the world’s longest testing pool, situated near the Italian Naval Institute.

Canados offers a diverse fleet of motor yacht models across three main series:

• Gladiator Range: High-performance open and hard-top yachts ranging from 13 to 29 meters.
  

• Oceanic Range: Expedition yachts designed for long voyages, spanning from 23 to 30 meters.

• Canados: Semi-displacement flybridge yachts and superyachts ranging from 24 to 37 meters.