The Balearic nautical sector prepares for the Brexit

The recent agreement between the European Union and the UK for the definite adoption of Brexit has given rise to concern in the nautical sector due to its impact on this industry, especially in the Balearics, where dependency on the British market is significant. “Brexit affects us in numerous ways: for one because many Brits are used to come and sail in our waters, and for the other because the UK is a leading supplier of nautical accessories, tools and spare parts”, comments Jaume Vaquer, the president of the Association of Nautical Companies in the Balearics (AENIB). Besides, “many British yacht refit and maintenance companies, shipyards and even boat manufacturers have premises in the Balearic Islands”, he adds.

In his opinion, “one of the Brexit´s main impacts on the Balearic nautical sector comes from the increase of customs tariffs, expenses and taxes. This will make the use and ownership of boats originating from UK more expensive for EU citizens. It will also cause a price increase of accessories and spare parts, and their importation will be subject to an increase of bureaucratic processes”, he predicts. It reminds him of the situation in 2018, when USA and EU entered into a trade war, bringing about a substantial increase in the price of many nautical products.

The president of AENIB is partial to working in order to find “solutions based on common sense in this unexpected situation that does not benefit anybody”. As an example, he points out that “because of Brexit, a British client can no longer charter a yacht in Spain with his British qualification, while there is no problem renting a car”.

“There are lots of issues to work on, and the National Association of Nautical Companies (ANEN) is busy discussing these matters with the Directorate General of Merchant Marine. As the Balearic Islands is the territory most dependent on the British market, as well as an important nautical destination internationally, AENIB participates in some of these discussions in order to find the best way to solve the drawbacks caused by Brexit”, he emphasizes. On that point, ANEN has launched a guide explaining the main consequences of Brexit for the Spanish nautical business activity.