The Palma International Boat Show has established itself as one of the essential exhibitions for the start of the nautical season. This is shown by the participation figures, with 271 participating companies and some 600 boats on display (more than 250 at sea), spread over an 81,000-square-metre exhibition site. The boat show, which will take place between 27 and 30 April at Palma’s Old Quay, is organised by the Vice-Presidency and Regional Ministry of Energy Transition, Productive Sectors and Democratic Memory, through the Balearic Islands Institute for Business Innovation (IDI) and the Balearic Yacht Brokers Association (BYBA).

The presentation of the new edition of the exhibition took place this morning at the exhibition grounds of the Old Quay, and was attended by the Vice President and Minister for Energy Transition, Productive Sectors and Democratic Memory, Juan Pedro Yllanes; the President of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB), Jaume Colom; the Managing Director of the IDI, Mariona Luis; the President of the Balearic Yacht Brokers Association, Dani Weber, and the Director of the Palma Superyacht Village, Arne Ploch.

The vice president stressed that “the nautical sector is a strategic sector for the industry and economy of our islands. That is why we at the Government include it within the economic diversification strategy and the commitment to quality tourism, linked to an industrial sector with a turnover of around 966 million euros a year, and which employs more than 5,000 people”. Yllanes added that “we are pleased to see the sector’s efforts to incorporate the climate and sustainability perspective, essential aspects to continue enjoying these islands”.

In turn, the president of the APB highlighted the role of the port as host at this nautical sector exhibition, which generates the most wealth of all the economic activities carried out in the general interest ports of the Islands. Therefore, Jaume Colom thanked the effort made by the concessionaires of the nautical facilities and fishermen for giving up their space for the annual celebration of the exhibition, as well as the administrative staff and the Port Police of the APB for their dedication before, during and after it.

As for what is on offer, sailing boats are once again the stars of the Palma boat show, which has always been characterised by having one of the largest exhibitions of this type of vessel in Europe, especially large boats. It is also important to mention the sailing and motor catamarans at the exhibition, which have increased their presence over the years, as they are the preferred vessels for nautical charters. In terms of engines, the exhibition will showcase the latest models of medium-large tenders and dayboats, and medium-small transportable RIBs, in line with the latest trends in the nautical sector.

According to the organisers, the average length of the boats on display at the exhibition has increased in recent years; in fact, many are now over 25 metres long, reaching up to 55 metres for the largest sailing yacht, the Elena of London. However, the range of boats on offer is complemented by the smaller ones, which are exhibited on land.

One of the clearest vocations established at the exhibition is the presentation of novelties related to sustainability. Besides sailing boats, which represent the most sustainable sailing option, more and more companies are striving to find new products that are more environmentally friendly, aware of the need to protect the marine environment. So, this year new models of electric boats built in Mallorca will be presented, as well as others from other countries that have chosen Palma to make themselves known and that use the sun’s energy to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels. This concern for the environment can also be seen in other products related to the sector, such as engines and nautical equipment.

Palma Superyacht Village

The Palma International Boat Show includes the Palma Superyacht Village, a section specially designed for acquiring or buying sailing or motor boats over 24 metres long. The Palma Superyacht Village has an area specialising in the repair and maintenance of boats, known as refit&repair, in which more than 20 leading companies in the nautical industry will participate this year, as well as service companies located in other areas of the Village.

The great novelty this year is the incorporation of the Innovation Corner, organised by Yachting Ventures, a space that seeks to promote dialogue between emerging companies, dedicated to innovation, digitisation and sustainability, and industry professionals. In this space, twelve startups specialising in yachting will present the advances and new technologies applied to the sector.

Marcial Sánchez Barcáiztegui Award

On Saturday 29 April, the organisers of the Palma International Boat Show are scheduled to present the Marcial Sánchez Barcáiztegui Award, which is given to people or institutions that have contributed to the promotion of the nautical sector in all its aspects through their business, social, environmental or sporting role.

The previous winners of the Marcial Sánchez Barcáiztegui Award were the Balearic Islands Naval Regatta Commission (2013), the Princess Sofia Trophy (2014), the School of Mestres d’Aixa of the Consell de Mallorca (2015), Margarita Dahlberg (2016), Diego Colón de Carvajal (2017), Miguel Suñer (2018), Isabel Subirats (2019), Cruz Roja del Mar (2021) and the Fishermen’s Guild of San Pedro (2022).