The nautical sector warns: seven out of ten small charter companies will close due to new government regulations

The newly formed Association of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Nautical Activities of the Balearic Islands (APANIB) – representing small and medium-sized businesses in the professional nautical charter sector – warned this Thursday that seven out of ten small charter businesses in the Islands could close due to the Government Decree regulating this type of vessel activity. According to APANIB, the new regulations prohibit the sale of individual berths, a legal practice in other autonomous communities. Furthermore, they prohibit access to public boat ramps, require charter companies to have a mooring to operate, and deny registration of new vessels. APANIB President Álvaro Aguirre stated that the regulations place all charter companies "in a legal gray area" and cause them financial losses. He asserted that approximately 800 workers in the Balearic Islands are affected by this measure. Furthermore, he added that the government "has not given companies time" to adapt to the regulations. For his part, the association's vice president, Àlex Mestre, considered that the legislation introduces unprecedented measures and restrictions without any technical or environmental justification. "We are talking about restrictions that damage the market and the reputation of those who comply with the law, that do not bring about environmental improvements, nor do they increase maritime safety, because the same boat, with the same skipper, the same insurance, and the same inspections, does not change its impact on the sea whether selling individual berths or chartering the entire boat," he insisted. APANIB has filed several legal challenges against these regulations. For the time being, according to the association, the National Markets and Competition Commission (CNMC) issued a preliminary request questioning the Decree "to detect a disproportionate ban on selling berths, the suitability of the regulation for environmental or safety purposes, and a possible infringement of state powers (Merchant Marine) and operators." According to sources within the organization, the Balearic Government is obligated to respond to the CNMC within a maximum of two months. Industry professionals are confident that this will happen and that the issue will be resolved before the start of the next season.