38 AUGUST–SEPTEMBER 2019 | International Boat Industry ibinews.com
Markets & Regions
EUROPE | ROUND-UP
Spanish buyers are returning
ANEN president
Carlos SanlorenzoI
n recent years, Spain emerged from
the crisis that all but decimated its
once-thriving boatbuilding sector
to become one of the world’s top charter
destinations. Boat rentals have never
been better – particularly in the Balearics,
whose cruising grounds are known for
their affordability and general safety.
But after several years of exponential
growth, the market is stabilising and private
boaters, according to Spanish marine trade
association ANEN, are making a return.
ANEN’s latest figures show that 5,545
recreational boats were registered under
the Spanish flag in 2018 – a 3.3% rise over
the previous year. Of that total, 4,037 were
registered for private use – a 7.5% jump
over 2017 and the best result of the last
three years. Boats registered for charter
(1,508) were down by 6.5%. “This reflects
the stabilisation of the market that, in 2014,
experienced historic growth of 60%,” says
ANEN president Carlos Sanlorenzo.
By length, boats from 6m-8m grew
by 15.1% last year, followed by boats from
12m-16m (+9.1%) and small boats up to 6m
(+1.2%). Boats from 8m-12m fell by 7.6% and
boats over 16m were flat.
PWCs are growing in popularity with
a 13.3% rise in registrations, although
inflatables were also
up by 4.3%. Growth was
more subdued for sailboats
(+1.9%) and motorboats (+0.4%),
although motorboats continue to a have a
majority share of the market at 42.1%.
As for boat manufacturing, Spain
has lost almost 60% of its industry since
the global financial crisis, but shipyards
that specialise in niche markets such as
superyachts or fishing boats are thought
to be holding up well. ANEN continues to
lobby the Spanish government to abolish a
12% ‘matriculation tax’ that is applied to the
value of all private boats over 8m in length
that are registered to Spanish residents,
who also pay a hefty 21% VAT on all luxury
purchases.
“Taxation remains a weak point for the
competitiveness of the Spanish nautical
market,” Sanlorenzo told IBI. “We continue
to have a matriculation tax that does not
exist in any other country in the world.”
Meanwhile, charter continues to set a
trend in Spain as users look for new ways to
enjoy sailing.
“As a positive element, it should be
noted that in the legislation affectingREAL GDP GROWTH (2018) 2.6%
REAL GDP GROWTH (2019 est) 2.2%
NUMBER OF ADULTS 37.4 MILLION
NUMBER $ MILLIONAIRES 852.000
BOAT PARK 200,000
CONSUMER CONFIDENCE
(Change in index points Jun/Jul) +1.1%
NEW CAR SALES
(Change Jan-Jun ‘18/19) +-4.4%SPAIN charter we have made progress with
favourable measures,” Sanlorenzo
says. “This new legislation has been
published recently in order to unify,
clarify and simplify the criteria used
by the Spanish marine authorities. It
implies a substantial improvement of what
is required for chartering. With it, we seek
for competitiveness and improvement
of this sector in Spain which with these
types of measures, can be converted in a
more attractive jurisdiction, especially for
superyacht and megayacht businesses.
This economic activity is the industry’s
main engine for certain regions such as the
Balearic Islands, Catalonia and the Spanish
east coast.”
ANEN’s latest figures for the first
six months of 2019 show a marked
improvement over this time last year, with
growth of 6%. “We predict a good outcome
for the current season, as the charter
market was up by 9.3% in the month of
June compared to the same time last year,”
Sanlorenzo says.
“But we are in a complex political
moment, waiting for a new government
to start so that we can move forward
with institutional relations with the next
government,” he adds. “This is one of the
main challenges for the sector in 2019.” nComplete Climate Solutions: Heating, Cooling & Roofs
The Barcelona Boat Show is enjoying a resurgence along with the rest of the market