On May 31st, Balearic Marine Cluster met at the Consulado del Mar with the President of the Govern, Margalida Prohens; the Minister of the Sea and Water Cycle, Juan Manuel Lafuente; and the Minister of Business, Employment, and Energy, Alejandro Sáenz de San Pedro, to define the future of the nautical sector in the Balearic Islands.
During the meeting, which marked the first official gathering of the innovative Balearic business group with the President of the Govern, Toni Salom, President of Balearic Marine Cluster, and Pedro Suasi, manager of the association, presented a detailed analysis of the nautical sector and its impact on the Balearic industry and society. In 2022, it represented 3.1% of the GDP, generating €1.106 billion and accounting for 5,145 jobs (data extracted from the first sectorial report on the nautical sector carried out by Balearic Marine Cluster).
The nautical sector presented two key demands for its future development:
Firstly, the urgent need to clarify the future location of the naval repair and maintenance sector in the port of Palma was emphasized. This decision is essential for strategic planning and the competitiveness of nautical companies, as uncertainty results in a loss of competitiveness not only against international markets such as France and Italy but also against domestic destinations such as the Valencian Community and Catalonia.
In response, the Govern committed to addressing this issue as quickly as possible.
The second issue raised is the creation of a joint strategic plan between the nautical sector, represented by Balearic Marine Cluster, and the Govern, with the participation of the Ministry of the Sea and the Water Cycle, the Ministry of Business, Employment, and Energy, and the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands.
Key points of this strategic plan include:
- Promoting the visibility of the nautical sector to the public as a strategic industrial engine that generates quality employment.
- Taking measures to bring the nautical sector closer to society and ensure that all citizens can enjoy the sea.
- Supporting specialized training centers, such as L’Embat and the National Nautical Reference Center in Menorca, promoting sector trades and improving job opportunities.
- Working on the sector’s sustainability, positioning the Balearic Islands as an international reference in sustainable nautical practices.
This collaboration aligns with the actions of Balearic Marine Cluster, reaffirming the nautical sector’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and the creation of quality employment.
As Toni Salom has rightly stated, “The agreement reached represents a significant step for the future of the nautical sector in the Balearic Islands, ensuring that both the industry and the community benefit from a sustainable and competitive environment.”
