The Balearic nautical sector takes stock of 2020 with an eye on the next season, still ridden with uncertainties
“The nautical sector has held it together in 2020 thanks to a sense of calm it has been able to transmit to the society facing the pandemic”. This is the principal message that the president of the Association of Nautical Companies in the Balearics (AENIB), Jaume Vaquer, extracts from the past year, plagued by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Although part of the sector is heavily dependent on tourism, the decline of which has affected many companies, the fact is that yachting is perceived as a refuge by many users. The sea has shown to be a safe option away from the crowds and this is a great victory for the sector, which has successfully implemented hygiene and health protocols to ensure 100% safe activities”, he analyses.
“In the months of March, April and May, uncertainty dominated the situation”, admits Vaquer. “The regulations changed from one day to the next, and it became impossible for the companies to make even short-term plans. But in June, when the restrictions were eased, we were faced with a mass influx towards maritime activities, considered a safe option by the society. This is confirmed by the evolution of the market during 2020”, when more than a thousand recreational vessels were registered in the Balearics. This kept the Balearics as the leading province in Spain, accumulating almost 20% of the vessel registrations and a quarter of the charter boat registrations in Spain, according to the data provided by the National Association of Nautical Companies (ANEN).
“The sector is mature and has the capacity to cope with short term hardships, although the uncertainty prevents companies from planning ahead. The season will supposedly start on the 1st of June, but unfortunately the sector can´t make preparations for this, as it is impossible to know what the situation will be once we reach that date. With that in mind, the companies are bracing themselves for whatever comes in 2021, which probably won´t be as benign as 2020. I predict a complicated 2021”, concludes the president of AENIB.
“During all this time, AENIB has been in constant contact with the public administrations in order to manage the consequences of the pandemic on the sector. Thus, we have defended
the nautical employees´ right to ERTE in these uncertain times before the Department of Employment, Commerce and Industry. Additionally, many companies have been able to invest in technological and digital updates thanks to grants from the regional government. On the other hand, we have communicated directly with the Department of Mobility and Housing about everything related to the protocols affecting the movements in the ports and the conduct of the boat users and crews onboard the vessels. It has not been easy, and we have not achieved everything we proposed, but bearing in mind the exceptionally difficult situation, we are satisfied with our accomplishments”, he assures.
“The Balearic economy is heavily dependent on the nautical sector, ascertains Vaquer, and reminds that “our islands are an international benchmark when it comes to maintenance and refit, especially among the superyachts. Yachts from all corners of the Mediterranean and even from other parts of the world visit us regularly in order to carry out maintenance services. At the same time, according to a recently published report, Balearic Islands are the destination number one in the Mediterranean for nautical activities. If our administrations don´t help us to take advantage of our leading position, we might lose the goose that lays the golden eggs”, he warns.