The sector calls for clear indicators, modernization of the Port of Palma, and measures to attract talent to ensure competitiveness against other Mediterranean destinations.
The Directorate General of Industry of the Government of the Balearic Islands convened representatives of the yacht repair and maintenance sector, as well as the shipbuilding industry, last Friday to define the priorities of the upcoming General Industrial Policy Plan of the Balearic Islands 2026–2030. During the meeting, participants reviewed the performance of the previous plan (2018–2025) and outlined the keys to safeguarding the sector’s competitiveness in the coming years.
The sector emphasized the need for the new plan to include concrete indicators and measurable objectives that will allow its real impact to be assessed. Attendees pointed out that the absence of clear metrics in the 2018–2025 plan made it difficult to measure results and track the actions implemented.
The future of Palma, a key piece for the industry
One of the central issues was the situation of the Port of Palma, which concentrates almost half of the Balearic nautical industry. “Every day lost in Palma is ground gained by destinations such as Valencia or Barcelona,” stressed Pedro Suasi, recalling that haul-out infrastructures have not been modernized for decades, while other Spanish Mediterranean ports have inaugurated new shipyards and facilities in the past five years.
Industry stakeholders also demanded greater transparency regarding the Port Authority’s plans in order to invest safely and develop medium-term strategies.
Talent and generational renewal, an urgent challenge
The recruitment and retention of specialized professionals is another major concern for the sector. “In the near future, the two greatest threats will be the availability of space and talent,” said Joan Salom of Nautipaints Group.
Along the same lines, the urgency of ensuring generational renewal was highlighted. “It is increasingly difficult to attract young people to nautical trades. The plan must promote continuous training, both for new entrants and for professionals already in the industry,” representatives noted.
Olimpia Corral of Baltic Yachts emphasized the importance of breaking social stigmas: “We are perceived as a luxury sector, but the reality is that we repair engines, paint and maintain boats. We are ordinary companies that provide jobs for more than 5,500 people in the Balearic Islands.”
Competitiveness compared to other destinations
The need for affordable industrial land was also a focus of debate. “In the Balearic Islands, building boats is not viable due to the high price per square meter. We requested the reuse of abandoned former dairy farms, but it has been impossible to give them a second life,” lamented Joan Company of J2 Sailing.
The sector is demanding measures that would allow it to compete on equal terms with other destinations on the Spanish mainland, where the cost of industrial land is significantly lower.
Conclusion: potential and capacity versus stagnation
The working group agreed that the Balearic Islands have unmatched technical capabilities in the Mediterranean, but the lack of progress in the reorganization of the Port of Palma and the resulting uncertainty are holding back key investments.
“We are islands and space is limited, which is why we must manage it with maximum efficiency, maximizing added value per square meter. We will never be able to compete on price with Turkey or Greece, but we can with our technical excellence and our ability to carry out high value-added work,” concluded the industry representatives.
