It’s been an unusual and hectic couple of years since we last printed ‘The Y’, so we’re delighted to be able to announce the launch of the 2022/23 edition! Chances are that you already know ‘The Y Yachting Itineraries’, so you will be familiar with the format. In each edition we suggest different destinations to visit by yacht, with ideas for things to see and do while you’re there, and the best places to eat. And even if a destination is somewhere you’ve visited before or it’s somewhere new, we guarantee we’ll show you things you didn’t already know. Hard copies will be available in the coming days, but in the meantime, the complete book is available online >>> here We have dubbed this book the ‘Art Edition’, inspired by Málaga, the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, and Costa Brava, which Salvador Dalí called home. Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca, meanwhile, were home to Joan Miró, completing our trifecta of Spanish modern masters. We revisit Lanzarote and the Canary Islands, which are attracting strong interest from charterers, while by popular demand, we conclude this edition with a deep dive on The Bahamas. Remember, wherever you’re heading this season, ESTELA is on […]
Spain extends €0.20/litre fuel discount to end of 2022, but *eliminates* fuel discounts for all pleasure craft with immediate effect. https://www.boe.es/boe/dias/2022/06/26/pdfs/BOE-A-2022-10557.pdf
This week, the Port of Melilla welcomed 42m Heesen, M/Y Life Saga, kicking off its charter itinerary from the Spanish exclave. As we have highlighted many times in recent years, Melilla lies not only outside Spain’s VAT territory, but is also outside the EU customs territory and excise duties area. As of this year, no VAT is payable on time spent in Spanish waters for charters originating in Melilla, meaning that charters commencing here pay only the prevailing 4% local ‘IGIC’ tax for the duration of the entire trip. Fuel rates too now benefit from lower taxation, bringing prices at Melilla’s pumps down in line with Gibraltar. To boot, Melilla is a lovely city to explore, so if you would like more information about visiting Melilla and its tax benefits for yachts, get in touch on +34 638 81 68 03 or email melilla@estelashipping.net
On June 6th, DYT chose Palma de Mallorca for the inauguration ceremony of its new semi-submersible yacht transporter, M/V Yacht Servant. This 214m long vessel, with its 46m beam, is the world’s largest dedicated yacht carrier, with 6,300m2 of deck capacity and a purpose-designed platform for tenders, containers and small race boats. The obligatory magnum of Veuve Clicquot was smashed against her hull, followed by a party on board for Palma’s yachting community. We were lucky enough to be invited, so we hope you enjoy our video of the event and tour of the vessel! For more information about the construction of ‘Yacht Servant’, visit https://www.yacht-transport.com/yourfuture/ and watch the official Palma launch video here.
Spain Licence required: Yes Age: 18+ (or 16+ with written consent from a parent/guardian) Legal requirements: PWC must be registered with the Maritime Authority (or T/T mothership) PWC must have public liability insurance PWC driver must have a valid licence Licence, registration, insurance docs and proof of payment must be kept onboard All riders must carry government issued ID Rider and passenger must wear certified buoyancy aids PWC must: avoid PWC rental or regatta areas; keep a safe distance from swim zones (either outside yellow buoys or 200m from shore in their absence); stay under 3kn and follow shortest safe path to the shore; only be used in daylight hours, good weather and visibility Towing of water toys is prohibited PWC may not navigate in commercial ports/marinas, except to go directly out to sea, at max 3kn Most Spanish coastal locations have a 300m rule from any coastline and 150m from any other vessel Balearic Islands – additional rules PWC must stay 200m offshore and 100m from other vessels before exceeding 5kn A method of communication must be carried at all times (ie. mobile phone/VHF) Towing water skis or wakeboards is only allowed with a rider facing the person being […]
Last updated: 2 August 2022 Spain From the EU Health control measures no longer apply to travellers arriving in Spain by air or sea who are citizens of the EU or Schengen countries. From outside the EU All travellers aged 12 and over, regardless of their country of departure, must provide one of the following documents: Proof of full vaccination Validity: between 14 and 270 days after last dose. After 270 days, vaccination certificates must include a booster dose. Only vaccines authorised in the EU and WHO will be accepted. Negative result to an EU-approved pre-departure molecular test (72 hrs) or rapid antigen test (24 hrs). Proof of recovery from COVID-19 Validity: from day 11 after the first positive molecular test and up to 180 days after the sample date. For travellers entering Spain by sea, any type of official certificate meeting the requirements listed above is accepted. These travellers do not need to fill in the Spain Travel Health Control Form. In the absence of a recognised certificate, the Travel Health Control Form must be completed. Children younger than 12 are exempt from the obligation to provide these documents. Full details here: https://reopen.europa.eu/en/map/ESP/7002 Croatia From the EU […]
Following representations by several industry associations, including Federagenti, the trade union association, Italy’s government has moved to accommodate non-EU seafarers affected by a new protocol in passport stamping brought in last year. As we reported previously, some crew were experiencing difficulties having passports stamped (out) when joining yachts stationed in Italy, causing their available days to count down. While local agents reported some flexibility in a number of locations, an official workaround was brought into force on 22nd May. The new rule is designed to facilitate refugees fleeing Ukraine, to enable them to work in Italy, but also addresses the issue of the 90-day time limit for non-EU seafarers arriving into the country and stepping on board. While yacht agents would normally find amenable officials willing to stamp passports regardless of their next destination, the new legislation means that crew can now obtain an official one-year visa to cover time spent stationary in longer-term refit or maintenance in the country’s yards. As usual, visas will be issued by the local Italian embassy prior to departure for Italy. For further details, please contact us and we can connect you with our partners in Italy. #superyachts #yachting #crew #visas #stamping #Italy #EU […]
In April, we are hosting a three-day famtrip for 30 captains to discover Lanzarote. Later in the month, we host our second “Captains’ Dinner at the Museum” in Palma, two breakfast superyacht seminars, plus an end of Boat Show ‘Sunset Cruise’ aboard a classic yacht in Palma Bay! Your company can be part of it, with many sponsorship opportunities available. Suffering from FOMO? There’s no need, just get in touch! For details, contact francesco.gennai@estelashipping.net or call +34 638 81 68 03.
Yacht crew were reporting from Greece during the 2021 season that immigration officials were declining to stamp their passports (out of the EU), meaning that their permitted days in the Schengen area were running down. Now, it appears that following a ruling in February 2020 — clarifying seafarer stamping regulations first passed by the EU in 2016 — that more countries are enforcing a tighter stamping protocol. The regulation in question, contained in the Schengen Borders Code 2016 (Article 11, Paragraph 3 (c), states; “No entry or exit stamp shall be affixed: to the travel documents of seamen who are present within the territory of a Member State only when their ship puts in and in the area of the port of call” Interpretation and enforcement of the above regulation is variable between countries and, even, between ports in the same country. But generally, it means that some border officials are declining to stamp crew passports, unless the boat is leaving the port. Guidelines issued to border officials in Italy, Greece, Germany, Netherlands and Portugal are complicating travel for crew flying in and joining yachts there. To our knowledge, French border police have been informed of the new protocol, though […]
How to stand out in a competitive marketplace Promoting a product or service in the yachting industry is hard. We know, because we do it. About us ESTELA Superyacht Agency is a port agent, based in the Balearics since 1850, with a global network of offices and partners that connects with yacht captains, owners and managers every day. Our business is supporting captains and crew with organising their guest/boss trips and managing yard periods. Our services range from port formalities, bunkering and cash-to-master, to VIP concierge services, provisioning, and itinerary planning. The problem Connecting with customers is always a challenge, particularly in yachting. Is your promotion aimed at the captain, the yacht manager, the purser, the engineer, someone else? Or, are you trying to reach yacht owners, representatives and guests? Whoever’s attention you want, your target audience is constantly on the move. Yachts rarely stay in the same place for long, personnel changes are frequent and everybody’s always on the go. The challenge is working out what they read, when and where. This makes placing your limited advertising budget very tricky. Magazines, directories, newspapers and social media all serve a purpose, but none last very long. Most magazines don’t make it on […]
. . Destination Marketing to Superyachts . . . Promoting a shipyard, marina or destination to superyachts is hard. We know, because it’s part of what we do. The problem? Superyachts usually circulate around the same places each season. Charter yachts stick to established itineraries that are popular with clients, owners tend to be stuck in their ways, and captains are reluctant to suggest new places that aren’t tried and tested. So, how to persuade them to try somewhere different? .We do it in several ways. ESTELA Yachting is a superyacht agency in Palma de Mallorca, with a global network of offices and partners that connects with yacht captains, owners and managers every day. Our business is supporting captains and crew with organising their guest/boss trips and managing yard periods. They trust us to plan their itineraries and to provide interesting ideas for places to visit and things to do along the way. . . . About ‘The Y Yachting Itineraries’ . Our superyacht travel guide is produced annually, created by us expressly for captains, owners, guests and crew. The book is free, both in print and digital (here), and is the only guide of its kind. We liken it […]
Boat shows are generally much the same, though there’s always a frisson of excitement around the Monaco Yacht Show. By far the largest European in-water show, and as much of a business networking event as a charter/sales forum, ‘everyone’ in yachting goes to Monaco. This time was different, though, following the cancellation of the 2020 show and the 30th edition deferred by twelve months. Many attendees left it to the last minute to commit to attending, in case COVID would again spike travel plans, doubtless giving the organisers a few headaches up until the show opening. There was evidence of some exhibitors not taking up their booked slots and a few regulars were missing. Understandably, there were also fewer yachts on show, though was it a success? The evidence suggests it was. The success of any exhibition, trade fair or boat show is always difficult to measure, given that they are often merely a barometer of prevailing market conditions. New build order books are full and the pre-owned market is hot, so the only people not smiling this time were brokers with no more stock to sell or charter. The biggest innovation was the ‘VIP’ pass on the opening day, […]
Following an update to the EU’s ‘Union Customs Code’ (UCC), Spain has reinterpreted the rulebook governing TPA (Tráfico de Perfeccionamiento Activo), or ‘Inward Processing’. The key change in Spain’s regulation for yachts is the removal of the requirement for non-EU flagged vessels to exit the EU upon completion of work carried out under TPA, in order to avoid customs duty and VAT on repairs or maintenance. In other words, it is now no longer necessary for yachts to depart Spain for Melilla, Gibraltar, or any other ex-EU port, after refit work has been completed. The TPA can now be closed by calling at any other customs port in Spain in transit, or by simply sailing twelve nautical miles offshore into international waters. The change came into effect in September, in order to make refit in Spain more attractive to foreign owners. About TPA TPA enables non-EU owned and flagged yachts to carry out repairs and maintenance while in the EU, without paying 21% VAT. Only authorised yards in Spain, France, Monaco and Italy are able to facilitate work under TPA. Work carried out must be overseen by a licensed administrator and comply with strict fiscal and customs regulations, with detailed […]
The walk-in COVID vaccination sessions at Sa Dureta have finished, with more than 90% of the eligible population now vaccinated with at least one shot. Crew are now no longer able to turn up without an appointment. This means that seafarers must now register in advance, with a vaccination appointment coming through around 48hrs later. Required are passport/ID details, boat contract, plus a Spanish mobile telephone number. On the plus side, the only vaccine being offered specifically for seafarers is the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) single-shot variety. Vaccination itself remains free, courtesy of Spain’s national health service, though there is an administration charge for each registration we make on your behalf. To register you, we require boat paperwork and your passport details. After your injection, we can apply for your digital vaccination passport with that all-important QR code. For more details, please contact us at palma@estelashipping.net
The 2021 edition of the Yachting Festival was an undisputed success. With many shows cancelled since last year, people’s appetite to get back to business appeared strong. Crowd numbers were on par with recent editions of the Cannes show, though the number of exhibitors was understandably down on previous years. As they had in Palma in June this year, many exhibitors held their powder dry, with some marketing budgets paused until 2022. As usual, the show consisted of three distinct areas. Vieux Port, one of the oldest harbours on the French Riviera, was the showcase of prestigious new boats, presented by many of Europe’s major shipyards. Port Canto, a short hop across the water via a courtesy tender service, was devoted to large used yachts and water toys, while across the pontoon bridge lay the sailing area, featuring sailing boats, monohulls and multihulls. The various COVID-related health measurements barely impinged on the enjoyment to be had from viewing many world yacht premieres and the wide array of watertoys always on show here. Indeed, several attendees we spoke to suggested that Cannes benefited from a more expensive and restrictive forthcoming Monaco Yacht Show. An innovation we could have done without was […]
ESTELA will be travelling to Cannes next week, for the first major boat show on the Côte d’Azur since 2019. We will be distributing the 2021 edition of ‘The Y Yachting Itineraries‘ and catching up with friends, clients and partners that we haven’t seen here in Palma. It feels like it’s been a long time, so we’re looking forward to seeing everyone! If you’re going and fancy a coffee or a glass, get in touch! If not, perhaps we’ll see you in Monaco later this month. Salut! About Cannes Yachting Festival As usual, the Vieux Port and Port Canto will host the 2021 edition of Cannes Yachting Festival. This year, professionals and enthusiasts will be able to discover nearly 600 of the latest boats from around the world. The show opens its doors on Tuesday, September 7, for six days of business and pleasure on the French Riviera. The Yachting Festival brings together more than 50,000 visitors every year and nearly 550 exhibitors, in a spacious and relaxed atmosphere. The show will feature more than 110 monohull and multihull sailing yachts, motor boats, used and new, up to 50 meters.
The much anticipated Palma Superyacht Show 2021 was a welcome return to (almost) normal for boat shows. At ESTELA, we had our usual stand at the Show for four days, but new was our “Captains’ Dinner at the Museum” and three consecutive breakfast seminars, talking about topics ranging from chartering and VAT to Brexit effects on the yacht industry and personal finance for seafarers.To watch the event highlights and see how we mix business with pleasure, grab a coffee and watch this: https://bit.ly/PSYS2021video Huge thanks to our sponsors and partners who made this all possible:The Port Authority of MelillaSwiss Ocean Yacht ManagementBegüm YachtingMoonen YachtsCoral Marine IbizaTermopetroliAstilleros de MallorcaTax MarineNautipaintsKingsber Property & Crew SupportAlcaidesa MarinaTAM Asset ManagementAntigua Yacht Club Marina & ResortArgentario Yacht ServicesAYSSA special thanks too to the organisers of the Palma Superyacht Show, who made the event happen, in the face of significant challenges, namely Jane Thompson, Amanda Picornell and Danielle Berclouw.We hope to see you here next year, if not before. If you are interested in collaborating with our events or the 2022 edition of our annual superyacht guide, ‘The Y Yachting Itineraries’, get in touch with Francesco Gennai on +34 638 81 68 03 or email francesco.gennai@estelashipping.net
The travel and yachting situation around the Mediterranean region is fluid, with countries and regions adjusting measures frequently. The guide below should be taken as information only and you are advised to consult with a local agent before planning your visit. This information is drawn from a network of agencies, as well as official sources. If you have new updates that we should include, please send us an email to palma@estelayachting.net SPAIN Travel Spain is open to flights from: EU/EEA countries, subject either to vaccination* or a negative antigen test*** Countries worldwide**, subject to complete vaccination* United Kingdom, subject to complete vaccination or PCR/TMA/LAMP/NEAR test (antigen is NOT accepted). Balearic Islands only are green-listed by the UK from 04:00 on 30-Jun (no quarantine required upon return to the UK) USA, without vaccination or COVID test Australia, China, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan and Rwanda, subject to a negative PCR test Minors travelling with vaccinated adults may also arrive in Spain, though do require a negative COVID test and must, like adults, complete a Passenger Locator Form. Children under 12 years are exempt from testing and locator form. For visitors from within the EU/EEA area, Spain […]
As part of tightened controls during the coronavirus pandemic, the Ship Sanitation Certificate is now being demanded by maritime authorities for yachts in Spain and throughout EU waters. Until recently, the requirement for yachts to carry a Ship Sanitation Control Certificate or Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificate had been widely disregarded by Spanish authorities for vessels under 500gt . Last summer, this informal threshold was lowered to 400gt, though now inspectors are clamping down on all passenger ships, regardless of size. Introduced through Article 39 of the WHO’s International Health Regulations 2005, the regulations brought in common sanitation standards to certify that a vessel is free of sources of contagion and chemical and radiological agents. Valid for a maximum of six months, the SSCC or SSCEC must be logged on the EU SHIPSAN ACT Information System for all types of ships sailing in the European Union. As licensed consignees ESTELA Shipping can obtain your SSCC/SSCEC from Spanish health authorities, upon completion of the requisite inspection and documentation. Should you be planning to navigate in international waters, please note that legionella sampling requires 14 days for results, so you should allow sufficient time before departure. The checklist of documentation includes: Previous […]
Please be aware that according to information we have received from Spanish health authorities, any clinic or clinician in Spain administering vaccines privately, is not authorised. If you were to consider going for private vaccination, you must ask: who is administering it? is it legal? will I receive a recognised vaccination certificate? which vaccine is it? Please note that if it is ‘Sputnik V’ being offered, this is not recognised by either the EMA or the WHO, so it’s not valid for travel purposes. The Netherlands and Belgium are about to roll out vaccines to seafarers, while Spain has committed to do the same, though there is, as yet, no timeline. While ESTELA is in no position to offer medical advice, we would urge anyone considering private vaccination to consult a doctor.