Nicola Coccia graduated in economics from the University of Naples "Federico II" in 1973 and qualified as a chartered accountant and auditor in 1974. He was president and CEO of MSC Crociere from 1990 to 2007, and president of Terminal Napoli from 2004 to 2011.
He was president of Confitarma, the Italian shipowners' confederation, from 2005 to 2010, having previously served as vice-president for six years. He has chaired Confitarma's Tax Committee since 1995 and sits on the board of RINA. In 2013 he founded Polo dello Shipping, a Naples business district for maritime companies.
He spoke at five Mare Forum events between 2005 and 2012, giving the keynote at Mare Forum 2005 and at Maritime Italy in 2006 and 2007, and appearing as a panellist at the 4th Maritime Italy 2009 and the 8th Mare Forum Italy 2012.