New 'Baby Boom' of Associations in the Nautical Sector

The Balearic Islands already have many acronyms and associations, but will this weaken their ability to negotiate with public administration?

The recent publication of the draft decree modifying Decree 21/2017 of May 5, which regulates the rental activity of boats and recreational vessels, currently in the public consultation phase and open to objections, as well as the Maritime Navigation Regulation, which proposes authorizing the use of private boats for charter and banning boat rentals without a license, has had an immediate consequence: a reaction in the form of nautical associationism in the Balearic Islands, with the emergence of several new entities claiming to represent the sector’s interests.

This comes despite the fact that several associations have existed for years, from the employer's association AENIB/ANEN to the BMC (Balearic Marine Cluster) in the general sector, alongside more specialized entities such as the Association of Nautical Clubs of the Balearic Islands (ACNB), the Spanish Association of Large Yachts (AEGY), the Association of Maritime Activity Entrepreneurs of the Balearic Islands (APEAM), and, representing users, the ADN Mediterráneo Navigators Association, among many others.

Among the latest additions is the Association of SMEs in Nautical Activities of the Balearic Islands (APANIB), which presents itself as "a national employer’s association, born in the Balearic Islands but representing small and medium-sized enterprises in the nautical sector throughout Spain" and claims to bring together "more than 75 companies."

The new association justifies its creation, despite the existence of other entities defending the sector's interests, in the following way: "Although we share the views of several associations regarding some of the current regulatory issues, we have a specific vision of how to defend these positions."

One example is the public tender for the concession of moorings and the use of ramps in ports managed by the administration, published in BOIB No. 136 on October 17, 2024. "This bidding process does not favor the interests we defend for small and medium-sized enterprises, nor does it align with the general interest and sustainability of Balearic nautical activities," they state.

Regarding boat rentals, "APANIB is working on modifying Decree 21/2017 on Charters, with the aim of eliminating the anti-competitive barriers this regulation imposes on sector businesses. The current application of this legislation is inappropriate and restrictive for free competition, making a thorough review essential to create a fairer environment for all involved companies," they argue.

On the other hand, the Association of Charter Companies of the Balearic Islands (AECIB) has also recently been established with the goal of "giving a voice to professional charter companies, actively combating illegal operators, and contributing to the improvement of the nautical sector." According to their analysis, "The increase in illegal operators, the lack of professionalism, and the overcrowding of charter boats have created uncertainty about the sector’s future. This decline, noticeable for more than 10 years and worsened in the post-COVID period, forces us to act directly. Without solutions, professionals face two choices: leave the sector after years of passion and effort or resort to unethical practices to compete on equal terms" due to "the neglect of professionals by administrations and authorities, who are incapable of effectively addressing the sector's problems."

The reality is that nautical activities in the Balearic Islands are being managed without a clear organizational structure, and the joint and effective work of the business and professional sectors involved is missing. Given this flood of acronyms and associations, the key question arises: is the ability to negotiate with public administrations being weakened? Is the message being diluted with so many different issues to address? It is true that, for now, our islands enjoy a strong market share, but unless efforts are made to work together by aligning interests, the powers we could negotiate collectively will instead become imposed regulations if we lose our ability to engage in dialogue.