December 5, 2024
The forum held yesterday at the headquarters of the Autoritat Portuària de Balears (APB), organized by El Económico, brought together prominent representatives from the Balearic nautical sector to discuss the future of Palma Port and how the project impacts the economy of the Balearic Islands.
Pedro Suasi, representing Balearic Marine Cluster (BMC), played a key role in the roundtable discussion titled “The Nautical Industry: Opportunities to Navigate Towards New Horizons,” alongside José María Campuzano, CEO of Servicios Técnicos Portuarios (STP), and Diego Colón de Carvajal, CEO of Astilleros de Mallorca.
During his address, the BMC manager highlighted the strategic importance of the nautical industry in the Balearic Islands, noting that the sector comprises 879 companies, generates an annual turnover of €1.1 billion, and employs 5,145 workers, 45.3% of whom are based in Palma. He also pointed out that the average company in the nautical sector generates a turnover of €1.48 million and employs an average of 7 workers, underscoring the dynamism and specialization of the business fabric.
“The nautical industry has the capacity to position the Balearic Islands as an international benchmark in sustainability, innovation, and skilled employment. To achieve this, it is essential to pursue a strategic vision that combines public-private collaboration, specialized training, and the integration of advanced technologies,” Suasi stated.
The forum addressed critical issues such as sustainability, innovation, and the reorganization of uses in Palma Port, which are essential for boosting the sector’s productivity and competitiveness. Campuzano’s intervention emphasized the exponential growth of repair activities since 2008, noting that 97% of nautical companies are Spanish-owned, while 86% of repaired vessels come from abroad. According to Campuzano, increasing space for businesses and their development capacity is crucial for future growth.
For his part, Colón de Carvajal emphasized the need to avoid losing market positions due to limitations in dry dock infrastructure and to adapt these facilities to meet the needs of modern vessels. He stressed that although the sector has grown over the past 20 years, maintaining competitiveness and productivity is essential to prevent stagnation among companies.
Balearic Marine Cluster underscored the importance of investing in specialized training to equip new generations with the technical and digital skills essential for the future of the nautical sector. This strategy aims not only to ensure the sector’s sustainability and competitiveness but also to promote the creation of high-quality jobs that meet the demands of a constantly evolving global market. According to the Cluster, investing in training will enable the sector to adopt advanced technologies and address challenges related to sustainability and innovation, strengthening its position as an international benchmark and consolidating its contribution to the economic and social development of the Balearic Islands.
The event also featured other roundtables focused on efficiency, sustainability, and connectivity in maritime-terrestrial logistics chains, as well as port-city integration as a model to enhance coexistence. These sessions included contributions from institutional figures such as Jaime Martínez, Mayor of Palma, and Álvaro Rodríguez Dapena, President of Puertos del Estado, who addressed key topics such as the reorganization of Palma Port, port-city integration, and economic development opportunities linked to the nautical sector.
The event concluded with a general consensus on the need to advance the reorganization of Palma Port, incorporating sustainability, innovation, and training to strengthen the nautical industry as a key pillar of the Balearic economy. The participation of Balearic Marine Cluster reaffirms its dedication to the sustainable development of the sector and its role as a promoter of initiatives that enhance cooperation between businesses and institutions.
Through these actions, the Cluster continues to drive change in the nautical industry in the Balearic Islands, fostering a forward-looking approach that combines service quality, environmental care, and international projection.
