The nautical sector is one of the production sectors identified in the Industrial Plan as a priority, given its high specialization, added value, growth potential and internationalization, and high industrial component

The next edition of the Palma International Boat Show will hold a forum to strengthen the position of the Balearic Islands as an international destination for reference & repair. The event will be possible thanks to the agreement signed between the IDI, organizer of the Palma nautical hall, with Balearic Marine Cluster.

The agreement, which has a budget of 97,000 euros, includes the conduct of an analysis at international level to determine the vision and perception of relevant actors in the field of large-scale vessels (captains, owners, management companies) on the infrastructure of the Balearic Islands from a point of view of repair, maintenance, mooring and operations. This study will allow the development of a strategic plan for the next few years for the sector based on the views and expectations of potential clients of the companies in the Islands.

In addition, the data collected will define the topics for discussion of the forum to be held in the framework of the Palma International Boat Show. This event, which will take place one day before the opening of the nautical fair, will promote the Islands as a reference & repair destination, will attract target public from the international market to make known the industrial companies of the sector as well as the fortresses of the Balearic Islands. Finally, the forum will also increase the professional impact of the Palma International Boat Show.

Balearic Marine Cluster is an organization formed by 30 industrial activities companies, linked to nautical tourism and to entities involved in the training, research and development of the sector. Among the objectives of the cluster is to give international visibility to the Balearic Islands as the centre of the nautical industry, to promote growth and to strengthen the competitive position of the sector, to increase the business figure, the profitability and the quality occupation of the business fabric, and to coordinate the value chain of the sector to increase its efficiency and productivity in the Balearic Islands.

The creation of Balearic Marine Cluster is part of the industrial cluster development line of the Industrial Plan 2018-2025, and is an action promoted by the Directorate-General for Industrial Policy, through the IDI. This action is made up of European Regional Development Funds under the ERDF Operational Programme of the Balearic Islands for the period 2014- 2020.

According to the conclusions of the strategic development project and the implementation of the nautical cluster started in 2018, the recreational nautical sector concentrates 276 companies in the Balearic Islands, with a turnover of 561 million euros showing an accumulated growth of 10.5% over the last four years, and occupying 2,676 workers.

The analysis of the sector indicates that 51% of the businesses are in the field of industrial activities for the maintenance and repair of ships, for both large and small and medium-sized enterprises. The rest of the value chain consists of activities linked to nautical tourism: marine, charters, management and brokerage services agencies, trade, etc.