ESTELA’s 3rd Captains’ Dinner at the Museum is done for another year! With 180 guests joining us for dinner, music and dancing at the fabulous Pueblo Español, this was the best one yet! Mouse over the photo below for the slideshow or jump directly to the photo gallery, HERE. Who can you spot?
On the occasion of the Palma Superyacht Village, ESTELA hosted its second annual “Captains’ Dinner at the Museum”. Staged in the stunning setting of Palma’s San Carlos Military Museum, this exclusive event was attended by 100 guests, including captains and their partners, sponsors and guests. The evening kicked off with sunset cocktails overlooking Palma Bay, leading to a candle-lit four course dinner, under canvas, in the atmospheric courtyard of the military fortress. Entertainment was provided by an operatic soprano, followed by a jazz trio, with our DJ turning up the heat well into the early hours. Huge thanks go to our sponsors and partners who made the evening possible: AYSS; Coral Marine; Charter Itinerary; Autovidal; Termopetroli; Swisspath Yachting; Jotun; Antigua Yacht Club Marina & Resort; Moncada Hispania Boutique; Gym Marine; Bluewater; The Crew Network; Díaz & Asociados; Argentario Yacht Services; Express Bunker; Fronda
Our breakfast seminars raised some interesting discussions. On Day One, we covered crucial information for the upcoming Med season, such as stamping protocols, chartering and VAT, and rules & regulation changes across various jurisdictions. Many thanks to our panellists: John Wyborn, Director at Bluewater and President of MYBA; Alex Chumillas, Managing Director at Tax Marine; and Andrea Farinaceo, Director of Operations at Argentario Yacht Services. Day Two’s topics were more contentious, looking at the possible repercussions of the current Russia-related Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) sanctions on yacht ownership structures; Know-Your-Customer Regulations, Flag States, Crew Contracts, etc. Our expert panel consisted of: Anthony Galea, Director at Vistra, Sebastián Díaz, Partner at maritime law specialists, Bufete Díaz & Associates; and Ian Petts, Director at Equiom Group. Due to a technical hitch, we have no recording of Day One, but the Day Two panel session is here, in full: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_R0LTMOrm9o Many thanks too to our seminar sponsors: Termopetroli, Gym Marine, Coral Marine, Vistra, Bufete Diaz & Associates, Charter Itinerary, The Crew Network, Swisspath Yachting, Agencia Melia Vives, Bluewater, TaxMarine, Calero Marinas, Kingsber Crew Support
Last month, ESTELA took a group of captains, brokers and industry guests to Lanzarote, to discover the island as a cruising destination. It’s fair to say that they found it an eye-opening experience. Watch: https://youtu.be/Th1tJZizFzk The trip was organised in partnership with Lanzarote Tourism and Lanzarote Superyacht Destination, taking in the spectacular sights and taste of the island, as well as its marinas and yard facilities. It was the second event hosted by ESTELA, promoting Lanzarote as a superyacht destination, following our themed ‘End of Season Dinner’ in October of last year. Lanzarote will again feature in the forthcoming edition of ‘The Y Yachting Itineraries 2022/23’, to be published next month.
April was an extremely busy month for ESTELA, starting with an exploratory ‘famtrip’ to Lanzarote, followed by two breakfast seminars at the Palma Superyacht Village and ending with a spectacular Captains’ Dinner at the Museum 2022. Thanks to all our friends, partners and sponsors that made these events possible, and to those who attended. Our next major extravaganza will be the ‘End of Season’ event in Port Adriano on Friday 7th October. To find out more about collaborating with us, get in touch. Call +34 638 81 68 03 or email francesco.gennai@estelashipping.net. NEWSLETTER:
“Come for dinner, stay for breakfast?” The Palma Boat Show is upon us! In the ‘Superyacht Village’ section, more than 50 yachts up to 60 metres will be on show and, of course, ESTELA is hosting some special events to coincide with the festivities. On Saturday 30th April, we are hosting our annual dinner for captains, and their partners, at a fabulous outdoor venue overlooking Palma Bay. ESTELA BREAKFAST SEMINARS April 29th & 30th We are again hosting two (free) breakfast seminars for captains and crew next Friday and Saturday, 29th and 30th April. Held at a venue directly next to the show entrance (details provided upon registration), this the perfect opportunity to meet up with colleagues and friends to start your day. Come and enjoy a hearty breakfast, while listening to some interesting discussion about hot topics in our industry. This is also your chance to have your questions answered by experts, free of charge! PROGRAMME DAY ONE: Friday, 29th AprilCruising the Med in 2022; Stamping Protocols, Chartering and VAT, Rules & Regs UpdatesJohn Wyborn – Bluewater (President MYBA) – FranceAlex Chumillas – Tax Marine, SpainAndrea Farinaceo – Argentario Yacht Services, ItalyTBC, Croatia/GreecePlus: Lanzarote; New Chartering Opportunities in the Canary Islands DAY TWO: Saturday, 30th AprilRepercussions of […]
A ban on disposable plastics in the Balearics came into force this month. The sale, distribution and use of disposable plastic products is now prohibited, such as non-recyclable coffee capsules, plates, cutlery, cups, trays, drinking straws, disposable wipes and rings for holding together drinks cans. Some single-use items are still permitted and will be for as long as the current state of alarm lasts.
Spain has relaxed its ‘use and enjoyment’ rule for charters beginning in Melilla, enabling the country’s exclave on Morocco’s Mediterranean coast to reduce its VAT rate to just 0.5% this coming season. The rate is available to yachts that have ‘Union goods’ status, on any flag. Melilla is part of Spain, but is not in the Customs Territory of the EU (TAU) or the Territory of VAT application (TAIVA). This also makes it a useful point in finalising Temporary Admission, as part of the Inward Processing Regime (RPA). As Melilla is part of the Territory of Application of Special Taxes (TAIIEE), it is also advantageous for tax-free refuelling and provisioning. Aside from the financial benefits of using Melilla as a base, the city is an appealing destination in its own right, while offering some fascinating cruising possibilities along Morocco’s unspoiled coastline. Read all about Melilla in ‘The Y Yachting Itineraries’, here. Melilla also has its own small airport — conveniently, directly next to the port — for private flights, while a number of daily scheduled flights provide ample international connections via mainland Spain. Larger private planes can use nearby Nador, just outside the city’s perimeter. By sea, Melilla lies 125 […]
The move affects travellers coming from more than 60 countries from 23rd November, including most EU member states. The negative PCR test must be taken no more than 72 hours before arrival in Spain and must be issued in English or Spanish, in paper or electronic format. Who is affected? This measure applies to travellers coming by sea or air, not to arrivals through land borders. Exemptions may apply for yacht crew demonstrably in transit to a boat that is departing imminently, or from a boat to outside Spain, departing without delay. Exemptions will also apply for arrivals who may have been unable to undergo a PCR test within the 72 hour window, having been continuously at sea or arrived from a departure point where tests are unavailable. In each instance, arrivals seeking an exemption are advised to check with us and we will consult with the local health authority for a confirmed exemption for your circumstance. High Risk Countries For European countries of origin, Spanish authorities will rely on the risk map by the European Center for Disease Control (ECDC). For countries outside this area, the reference point will be the 14-day cumulative coronavirus incidence for every 100,000 inhabitants, […]
So confident of the Canaries’ potential as a superyacht destination are we, that ESTELA Shipping have now opened an office in Lanzarote! In partnership with Calero Marinas, we have appointed Monica Iren Lungard as our local representative, to support our superyacht clients and provide the same high standard of service that ESTELA already offers in Palma, Gibraltar, Barcelona and Panama. Monica joined Calero as an administrator two years ago and has been living in the Canary Islands for eight years, the past six of which in Lanzarote. She has also lived in Tenerife and Gran Canaria, giving her great insight into what the islands have to offer. A Norwegian national, Monica speaks fluent English and Spanish. She can be reached by telephone/WhatsApp on: +34 660 54 89 74 or by email at: monica.iren@estelashipping.net
Under WHO health regulations issued in 2007, the Europe-wide requirement for Ship Sanitation Certificates had been applied by Spanish authorities, until now, only to commercial vessels over 500 GT. We have been advised by the Balearic branch of the Department for Health (‘Sanidad’) that with immediate effect, the SSC, or ‘Certificado de Control de Sanidad a Bordo’ is now a legal requirement for any yacht (over 400GT ) visiting or stationed in the Balearics . The SSC covers items such as air, water, aircon, oil and waste systems, medical facilities, food sanitation and bathing facilities. Each vessel must be able to present a valid SSC to Sanidad, logged on the SHIPSAN platform. For any queries or to arrange your inspection, please contact us on palma@estelashipping.net
Last week Spain re-opened its borders to tourists from the EU/Schengen zone, as well as a select number of non-European countries, including the United Kingdom. Without quarantine or COVID-testing requirements, Spain is one of the most easily-accessible places for yachts and for private flights, with up to 50 arrivals at Palma’s private LEPA terminal daily! What’s more, Mother Nature has enjoyed the rest that lockdown has provided, with our beaches and calas in pristine condition, and Balearic waters looking even more crystalline than usual. What’s more, summer is here and no rain is expected for the whole of July! Restaurants and bars and beach clubs are open, with masks required to be worn only in confined spaces where distancing is impossible. Smaller clubs are open, offering table service. Just leave your dancing shoes on board, as dance floors are closed. Reports of long delays for arrivals into Greece, for example, are no issue here in Mallorca, with all ports and marinas operating normally. Guests and crew are free to disembark and enjoy the island as normal. How safe are the Balearics? The first tourists to arrive in Mallorca this summer, from Germany, in a pilot programme last month, scored hygiene measures here at […]
Spanish borders are once again OPEN to tourists and visitors arriving from within the EU and Schengen zone, without the need to quarantine! Private flights into Palma de Mallorca kicked back into life on Sunday, while yachts stationed here have started greeting their owners after a long, three-month separation. If your owners or guests are due to arrive from further afield, we should have more news later next week. In the meantime, we may be able to find you a workaround, so don’t hesitate to contact us. Spanish waters, and those beyond, have also been reopened for cruising. Yachts that had kicked off their season in Croatia and Italy are heading back to the Balearics, to enjoy the natural beauty that has benefited from the breather that the lockdown presented. Our beaches are looking beautiful and the lockdown has done the precious seagrass the power of good and Balearic waters are clearer than ever. Only last week 132 sea turtle eggs were laid on Punta Prima beach in Menorca, for the very first time! This season has been a long time coming and we can’t wait. If you are coming our way, get in touch, we’ve missed you!
What a way to start the caribbean season with our annual trip to FLIBS! on its 60th anniversarry, check out our interview with the director of Nobiskrug, as well as others then let us take you round the show, we hope you enjoy it as much as we did.
Estela was invited to deliver the keynote presentation on behalf of Balearic Yacht Destination at Quaynote’s ‘The Future of Superyachts’ conference, held at Saratoga Hotel in Palma this week. Our James van Bregt addressed a room of 50 delegates, exploring the drivers behind superyacht traffic to the Balearics. Themes such as taxation, regulation and marina capacity were hot topics throughout the day, on which we will report in more detail in the near future.
Estela Yachting were in Monaco for the biggest and, probably, the best MYS yet. Watch our recap of the show, join us on board some of the finest yachts in show and get a taste of what happens at the most important event on Europe’s superyachting calendar. Like last year, we co-hosted the Balearic Yacht Destination stand and had a full team of colleagues at the Show. It was great meeting faces old and new and already discussing plans for the 2020 Mediterranean season.
Yes, it’s that time again. No sooner are we home from Cannes — with a short week to turn around a suitcase of dirty laundry and re-pack — and we’re off to the biggest yachting event on the European calendar. Like last year, we will be co-hosting the Balearic Yacht Destination stand, at QUAI ALBERT Ier AL47, and we’ll have a full team of colleagues at the Show. We’re looking forward to meeting captains and crew, partners and fellow yachting folk, so get in touch to arrange a time and place, if you’d like to meet face to face. We are already planning the 2020 edition of The Y Yachting Itineraries, so if you’re interested in featuring your business or location in the guide, now is the time to talk to us. See you there!
The Cannes Yachting Festival 2019 was significantly bigger than last year, with the show establishing itself as a major expo for sailing yachts, medium-sized motor yachts and a wide variety of smaller watercraft. In contrast to Monaco’s MYS and other large shows that are charter-oriented, Cannes features mostly new and used yachts for sale. Italian manufacturers were particularly well represented, using the event to showcase new models to prospective buyers and press. For an event labelled a ‘festival’, Cannes lacks the party atmosphere found at other shows, but Monaco should more than compensate. No doubt, we’ll return next year.
Early October is a particularly opportune time for businesses in the marine industry in Mallorca, as it signals the end of the Mediterranean season, before many yachts set off for the Caribbean. Every autumn, we organise the End of Season Party in Port Adriano and the Superyacht Poker Tournament at Casino de Mallorca. These events, now in their 5th and 4th year respectively, present a great way for you to connect with captains, crew, managers and key buy-side decision makers in our industry. It is a chance to thank those who used your services, and a way of growing your visibility in the yacht market. END OF SEASON PARTY FRIDAY 4TH OCTOBER BLUE NEST BAR – PORT ADRIANO This event is Mallorca’s biggest party for the end of the Mediterranean season, as well as signalling the start of the Caribbean season. The party is a relaxed let-your-hair-down event, with themed fancy dress, complimentary full buffet and drinks, live band and DJ. The party is always well-attended by captains and crew, as well as brokers and industry colleagues, with complimentary return transport laid on from STP and Club de Mar marinas in Palma to Port Adriano. Last year, we had more than 250 guests, while the fancy dress theme was ‘Celebrities Ahoy’, with […]
May has been a busy month for us so far. While the Palma Superyacht Show was still on, half of our team hopped over to Barcelona for MYBA. Just a week later we were back in Barcelona for LYBRA’s The Superyacht Show, before moving on to the Versilia Yachting Rendezvous in Viareggio. Viareggio features in the latest edition of ‘The Y Yachting Itineraries’, so should you find yourself there in the coming months, check out our guide here: https://issuu.com/yachtinghandbook/docs/the-y-yachting-itineraries-by-estel/154 Below are two videos reports; the first from LYBRA, including a tour of the Moonen-built M/Y Etoile d’Azur, courtesy of Fraser Monaco. The second is a look around the Versilia Yachting Rendezvous, featuring a striking demo by Seakeeper.