A PIONEERING SUPERYACHT AGENCY

Support at every stage of your journey

 

WE PROVIDE ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING CAPTAINS, OWNERS AND CREW REQUIRE

 

Operating in the Balearics since 1850, Estela is a leader in innovation, creativity and professionalism in the yacht industry. We build relationships with people, we provide information and inspiration, and give guidance and support to captains and crew, owners and guests.

Just one example of how we work is our annual Superyacht Handbook, ‘The Y’, an indispensable resource for yacht cruising the Mediterranean and beyond. Not only does 'The Y' provide important information for captains, but it suggests itineraries and places of interest that are out of the ordinary.

In addition to a busy yacht show schedule, each year we host at least four social events that have become must-attend gatherings for yachties in Mallorca, such as our Superyacht Poker Tournaments and the End of Season Party.

With offices in Palma, Barcelona, Cuba and Panama, and a partner network spanning the globe, we service all needs for a wide range of private and commercial clients in the maritime world.

 

Apr 15
by admin in Coronavirus, Crew Assistance & Support, SUPERYACHT AGENCY 0 comments

Need a PCR test in the UK? Get a home test kit from Randox for just £60!

Travelling to or from the UK and need to obtain a PCR test? Courtesy of ESTELA SHIPPING, yacht crew can now get 50% off home test kits from the UK’s largest test provider, RANDOX. The full price of the kit is £120, but apply code ‘estela’ to reduce the price to only £60! For more information and to order your kit, visit https://www.randoxhealth.com/covid-19-home-testing-kit/. At checkout, simply enter the code estela to receive the discounted price.  Please feel free to share this post with any friends, family or colleagues in need of a test.
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Apr 15
by admin in Coronavirus, Crew Assistance & Support, Law and Regulations 0 comments

UK removes COVID testing exemption for seafarers

Since April 6th, seafarers arriving in the UK and staying more than two days have been obliged to undergo rapid ‘lateral flow’ tests during their stay. While remaining exempt from the 10-day quarantine/self-isolation rules that apply to other travellers, crew must submit tests on Day 2 and Day 8 after entering the UK. Tests can be carried out and submitted in a variety of ways. A list of Government-approved test providers is here.  Seafarers must also complete a passenger locator form prior to flying to the UK. While a pre-travel (PCR) test is not essential according to the current rules, we recommend taking a voluntary test for your personal reassurance and to avoid any confusion with check-in staff unfamiliar with the rules. Seafarers remain exempt from having to complete a travel declaration form to depart from the UK. The UK government website for COVID travel regulations is here, though the wording could be an awful lot clearer: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-travellers-exempt-from-uk-border-rules/coronavirus-covid-19-travellers-exempt-from-uk-border-rules#seamen-and-masters-and-inspectors-and-surveyors-of-ships If you have any queries, please contact us.
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Mar 25
by admin in TAX & VAT 0 comments

Latest fiscal amendments with impact on the superyacht chartering season 2021 in the Mediterranean

The below is a summary of the most relevant fiscal amendments with effect on the superyacht chartering activity in the Mediterranean in 2021: France: The new situation for summer season 2021 is that full VAT rate – 20% – will be charged for time spent in EU waters. Only the part of the journey taking place in international waters will be exempt from VAT. Italy: As in France, the new law will be applicable to all charters starting in Italy and/or outside EU territory and entering into Italy will be subject to ordinary VAT rate of 22%, except on the part of the journey taking place in international waters, which will be exempt from VAT. Spain: Charters starting in Spain are subject to 21% without any reductions. On the other hand charters starting outside the EU VAT area are subject to Spanish VAT for the part of the journey taking place in Spain VAT territory, however from January 1st 2021, they will be exempt of VAT if starting in any of the following Spanish special territories: Melilla, Ceuta and the Canary Islands. Greece: Greek standard VAT rate is 24%, with a potential reduction on the part of the journey taking […]
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Mar 25
by admin in Law and Regulations, what's on 0 comments

Balearic Islands ban single-use plastic

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.
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Mar 25
by admin in Crew Assistance & Support, SUPERYACHT AGENCY 0 comments

Global Airfreight Forwarding by ESTELA Shipping

As the ESTELA Shipping name suggests, we provide worldwide freight forwarding services. But did you know we also do airfreight? Whether it is delivering spare parts to berthed or anchored vessels, or the return of spare parts, we can arrange for transportation and documentation. We also offer global end-to-end large cargo services, from Full Container Load (FCL), Less than Container Load (LCL) to Airfreight, completing all import/export formalities along the way. ESTELA handles special customs operations, including bonded and free warehouse storage and distribution, as well as temporary imports. Contact us for freight forwarding at: ESTELA Barcelona              forwarding.bcn@estelashipping.net ESTELA Palma    forwarding.pmi@estelashipping.net
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Mar 25
by admin in Coronavirus, Crew Assistance & Support, Itineraries, Law and Regulations 0 comments

Easter COVID rules/regs around the Med

SPAIN No yacht restrictions, subject to health declarations and PCR tests (<72 hrs) Hospitality is open only on terraces, until 5pm Groups may be no more than 6, from no more than two households, including on board Shops are open, with some capacity restrictions and closing at 8pm for non-essential items Arrivals by air from South Africa and Brazil, including crew, must quarantine for 10 days, or release after 7 days with PCR Non-Schengen tourism is not allowed, with some exceptions (incl Australia, NZ, China/HK, S. Korea) Curfew at 10pm ITALY Restrictions depend on colour classification (white, yellow, orange, red), though for the Easter period (Apr 3-6) the entire country is declared a RED zone No cruising permitted and crew may only disembark for essential shopping and medical reasons On shore, hospitality may open until 6pm, with curfew from 10pm Crew arriving from the Schengen area are not obliged to quarantine, but a PCR test (<48hrs) is required. A maritime health declaration is required for all yachts arriving from other countries Widespread speculation of this ‘red zone’ period being brought forward to March 28th FRANCE, CORSICA & MONACO Non-European flagged yachts may not enter or anchor in French waters Arrivals […]
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Mar 03
by admin in Coronavirus, Crew Assistance & Support, Law and Regulations 0 comments

Spain introduces 10-day quarantine for arrivals from South Africa

With effect from 8th March 2021, all arrivals from South Africa in Spain will be required to quarantine for 10 days following arrival. Please note that seafarers are NOT exempt from this requirement, though are permitted to self-isolate on board. Quarantine must be spent at a designated accommodation, restricting movements and outside contact only to essential activities (eg. shopping for food, pharmaceuticals and essentials; visiting health services; causes of force majeure or emergency). You are advised to obtain an agent’s letter for your arrival, detailing where your quarantine will be spent. Health authorities may carry out inspections to ensure compliance, so you are advised to retain receipts or documentation to justify any movement from your quarantine accommodation. Arrivals may be released after providing a negative COVID test result, taken after 7 days of quarantine. Accepted tests are RT-PCR or other tests based on equivalent molecular techniques, as well as antigen tests that have a minimum yield of ≥ 90% sensitivity and ≥ 97% specificity. The quarantine requirement will initially be in force for arrivals from 00:00h on 8/3/21 until 23:59h on 21/3/21, though may be extended before the end of this period.
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Mar 02
by admin in Coronavirus, Crew Assistance & Support, Law and Regulations, SUPERYACHT AGENCY 0 comments

OFFICIAL travel information sources for crew (and non-crew)

Global travel eligibility checker: https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/#(note that all airlines’ policy is guided by IATA)Travel to Spain, general:For general travel to Spain: https://reopen.europa.eu/en/map/ESP/7001Spain health declaration: https://www.spth.gob.es/Balearic health declaration: https://viajarabaleares.ibsalut.es/formulario/Travel to Spain from the UK (any nationality):Spain/UK travel ban (in force until 31-Mar): https://www.boe.es/boe/dias/2021/01/01/pdfs/BOE-A-2021-1.pdf(note that crew joining vessels are exempt, subject to requisite docs)UK government COVID travel guidance for Spain: https://www.gov.uk/foreign…/spain/entry-requirementsBREXIT: NOTICE FOR BRITISH CREW IN SPAINPlease note the following stamping requirements, issued by Spanish immigration police today:Active British crew members already appearing on a crew list DO NOT need to visit immigration to stamp on board and out of Spain. Only when they leave the vessel either temporarily or permanently, must the crew list be updated with the authorities and passports stamped.Non-active crew members currently in Spain, not appearing on any crew list, ARE NOT required to have their passports stamped, until they join a vessel.In summary, any change in crew list involving British crew, requires a stamp*. A representative can visit immigration on crew’s behalf; they are not required to attend in person.*Except official residents of SpainSpain’s UK Travel Ban Excludes SeafarersA new BOE was issued on 1st Jan by the Spanish government, stating that crew are now exempt from the […]
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Feb 17
by admin in Charter & Brokerage, Coronavirus, Law and Regulations, Melilla 0 comments

Clearing out of TA without COVID hassles

Many non-EU flagged yachts in the Mediterranean complete an 18-monthly ‘VAT dash’ to Algeria, to clear out of the EU zone ahead of their TA deadline. This year, the clearance dash has been complicated by restricted movements of both yachts and crew, while UK-flagged vessels are having to plan around this for the first time. We have been advising clients to ‘clear out’ in Melilla instead. This can mean a longer sailing, but the extra time and fuel consumed is offset by the lack of any PCR testing and/or quarantine requirement if coming from and returning to other Spanish ports. Melilla is Spanish territory, obviating the need to complete immigration clearance. Upon arrival, authorities in Melilla will provide a recognised Customs Authorities Certificate, while captains can be sure that there are no unexpected ‘shake-downs’ or on-board inspections. Fees are transparent, while security and port facilities are of the highest standard. Local fuel tax is rated below the cost of VAT, while pump prices are among the lowest in the Med. Merlilla’s port has a commercial dock of 240 meters, suitable for yachts of any length, as well as space to moor 15 yachts of up to 50 meters, with a […]
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Feb 16
by admin in Crew Assistance & Support, Law and Regulations 0 comments

The ‘Seaman’s Book’: should you get one?

Most crew members will be familiar with the blue book that many yachting professionals carry alongside their passports, but not everyone has one. Or at least, not until now. In recent months, many yacht crew have been asking us about applying for one, now that international travel has become more complicated. So, if you haven’t already, should you get one and why? Let’s explore what a Seaman’s Book is and what its benefits are. What is it? The Seafarer’s Identity Document (SID) is known by several names: Seaman’s Discharge Book; Seafarer’s Identification and Record Book; Seaman’s Service Record/Book; Seafarer’s Card. It is a record of career certification and experience and is essential for crew working on commercial and merchant vessels. It can be a requirement of owners/managers of larger yachts. Can you travel with it? The SID is a quasi-legal document that supplements your passport and visas. It does not replace the passport and cannot be used to enter another country if arriving by air or overland. It does, however, identify you as a seafarer (ie. an essential worker) in the eyes of airlines and immigration officials. It also provides access to marine flight tickets, though some airlines will accept […]
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Yachting Itineraries 2021
Yachting Itineraries 2019
Yachting Itineraries 2018
Handbook 2017
Categories
ESTELA SHIPPING PALMA, S.A

Avenida Gabriel Roca, 37 local C, entrada Carrer de la Pedrera
07014 Palma de Mallorca (Spain) – P.O. box 415
Tel. +34971722532
Fax. +34971511726
Email: palma@estelashipping.net

Introducing 'The Y' 2019/20

Why fuel in Spain

When Seconds Count
Nautic Rent A Car