Baleària criticizes the car restrictions in Ibiza: "It has had no effect."

PalmBaleària has criticized the restriction on vehicles for maritime transport, considering the impact to be "zero" and unnecessarily punishing the sector and forcing shipping companies to make adjustments.

According to the shipping company, the average impact on the island was 248 fewer cars arriving by sea per day, a figure they consider "insignificant" compared to a fleet of 96,000 vehicles (which increased by almost 3,500 vehicles by August) and 16. Baleària's president, Adolfo Utor, stated in a press conference held this Monday in Ibiza that "the regulations have generated a very negative and unsustainable impact on the maritime transport network." He explained that, during the period in which the restrictions were in place, the company transported 25% fewer cars and 30% fewer passengers.

Utor emphasized that "the restriction on maritime transport will have irreparable effects on the island's economy and connectivity, forcing the company to adjust its offering, frequencies, and prices." The president of the shipping company stated that "collective reflection is needed to address the problem of congestion with greater rigor and effective, agreed-upon measures." The president referred to data "that show that maritime transport is not responsible for congestion on the island; however, it is the only one affected." In this regard, he referred to data from Ibestat (Statistical Institute of the Balearic Islands), showing that all indicators have grown significantly over the last two decades, except for the number of maritime passengers, which has decreased.

Thus, the number of air passengers has grown by 96%, while passengers arriving by sea (excluding those on the Ibiza-Formentera connection) have decreased by 3%, according to data on passenger arrivals and departures between 2008 and 2024. This is seasonal compared to maritime transport, which is very stable throughout the year.

However, it must be taken into account that the regulations have generated a pull effect that has led to an increase in the car fleet on the island. Thus, between January and August of this year, 3,466 cars were registered, 60% more than in the same period in 2024 (+1,335). Regarding rental cars, for which official data is not available, the shipping company estimates that they have increased in the same proportion as the number of air passengers.