Ranking of scheduled ship registration by sea captains.

In 2016, 4,764 units were registered in Spain, with an increase of 3.8% over the 4,588 registered during the 2,015, as reflected in the latest report of the Federation of Associated Employers of Rural-Maritime Industries, Trade and Services (FADIN) produced with data from the General Directorate of the Merchant Navy.

Of the total number of vessels, 4,764, 4,315, 90.7 per cent are less than 8 metres in length and 4,605, 96.7 per cent, less than 12 metres.

For customer-type segments, the growth of the rental segment is highlighted with an increase of 13.7%, compared with a very moderate growth of 0.8% of the private segment. The rental segment already accounts for 25.8% of the market, more than 1 in 4 registered vessels, and notes both the change of trend of the users and the strength of the water tourism sector in Spain.

According to Jordi Senties, President of FADIN, "these figures reflect that the effects of a moderate recovery started since 2015 are beginning to be consolidated on the market."

Miquel Guarner, General Secretary of FADIN, also points out that "we are particularly appreciative of the growth in the startup ranges where the ships from 5 to 6 meters and those from 6 to 8 meters have grown by 14.8% and 7.9%, respectively, representing 35.9% of the market."

In product segments, 30% of the growth of the water motorcycles stands out, the sailing boats with 21% and 11% of the rigid motor boats, in general, while the pneumatic and semi-rigid vessels experience a decline of -6% and -4% respectively.

TABLE 2. Sale of new boats January 2017.

By ranking of populations, it is appreciated that the enrolments in the Captains of Palma de Mallorca (Mallorca and Menorca) occupy the first position with 613 units, ahead of Palamós (Girona) with 363, Alicante with 347, Malaga with 341 and Barcelona with 312, in fifth position.

Highlights in the rental market (list 6), Palma de Mallorca (Mallorca and Menorca) that occupies the first position with 254 followed by Alicante with 134, Palamós with 107 and Ibiza and Las Palmas with 100 units each.

It is also observed that Alicante leads the ranking of nautical motorcycles with 137 registered units, followed by Málaga, Cartagena, Las Palmas and Palma de Mallorca (Mallorca and Menorca) with 86, 79, 67 and 64 units respectively.

In the other segments: rigid, semi-rigid and pneumatic vessels and sailing, once again Palma de Mallorca (Mallorca and Menorca) occupies the first position in this ranking with 295, 151, 652 and 37 units respectively.

In the case of new vessels, in 2016, 18,988 units have been sold in Spain, with an increase of 0.6% over the 18,868 sold during the 2,015, of which 17,632, 93% of the vessels sold are motor vessels and only 1,356, the remaining 7% under sail.

By Maritime Captains, it is appreciated that the enrolments in the Captains of Palma de Mallorca (Mallorca and Menorca) occupy the first position with 2,079 units, ahead of the 1,729 of Barcelona, the 1,690 of Palamós (Girona), the 1,349 of Alicante and the 1,191 of Cartagena.

Of the new vessels, 85.1% are up to 8 meters and 96.9% up to 12 m., corresponding only 598 vessels, the remaining 3.1% to those of more than 12 meters.

In the opinion of Jordi Senties, President of FADIN, "the market of occasion, although much more stable and with symptoms of stagnation, remains extremely important for our sector, as 4 ships of occasion are still sold for each new ship that is registered."

Source: FADIN