The impression that everything is fine on the islands this summer also reaches the maritime sector, where concerns about unregistered charter activity persist. The Balearic charter boats association has highlighted a rise in foreign-flag vessels, including ships registered in Poland and Germany, estimated to account for roughly 10% to 15% of operators in the market. These figures raise questions about oversight and safety in a busy seasonal period.
Officials describe the situation as serious this summer. The new general manager of Ports, Anthony Mercant, is seen as someone who understands maritime life, and he is expected to bring steady leadership to the issue. The head of the islands maritime charter association, Xavier Ramis, who previously held the role, commends the direction of Mercant, noting that his sailing background gives him practical insight into the industry’s needs.
Demand for more vigilance
Despite regular checks by the Civil Guard aimed at curbing irregular activity, industry leaders call for intensified enforcement and ongoing state support for related measures championed by Marga Prohens. The challenge of tackling unregistered yacht charters remains substantial. Boats often spend as little time as possible in ports, some even loading passengers onto inflatable craft to reduce dock time, an approach that effectively skirts formal procedures.
Market activity largely shifts online, with fleets owned by large foreign companies promoted through internet listings. Incidents of piracy by locals’ recreational boats have declined sharply in recent years, particularly on islands that once faced illegal sales during peak seasons. Regulators introduced a registry to formalize operations, a move that prompted many operators to come into compliance, resulting in a dramatic reduction from thousands of noncompliant vessels to a more manageable register size.
The disruption caused by irregular charter practices is felt across the industry, especially during a summer when customer downgradings have become more common. The situation also intersects with broader tourism trends, as seasonal demand patterns shift and operators adjust to new regulatory realities.
Decrease from 15% to 20%
José María Jiménez notes a decline in demand of about 15% to 20% compared with the previous year, a drop that is widespread across many firms in the sector. While the reasons for this decline are not fully clear, losses in traditional customer bases in Russia and Ukraine are cited, alongside a broader trimming of discretionary spending. The French, Italians, and domestic customers show numbers similar to 2022, leaving overall activity tentatively flat in some markets.
There is a trend toward deeper discounts for customers who charter boats for two weeks, with a noticeable push to shorten typical rental periods. Jiménez also points out that the July and August downturn is not expected to persist if reserves hold steady, and there is cautious optimism that September could rebound to last year’s activity levels, subject to seasonal inventory and demand dynamics.
Another constraint facing operators is staffing shortages, a challenge that has touched nearly every business sector and adds pressure to service quality and schedule reliability.
Scheduled checks
The Marine Department and Civil Guard Maritime Services have launched a control campaign that coincides with industry concerns about rising irregularities in marine chartering. District managers report continued enforcement of rules against unregulated competition, illegal mooring, and passenger pickups from unauthorized points. The ministry emphasizes that monitoring efforts began in 2021 and have continued, resulting in dozens of disciplinary investigations and hundreds of new files opened over the past year. Current inspections focus on ports such as Palma de Mallorca, Ibiza, and La Savina, aiming to deter noncompliant operators and safeguard legitimate charter activity.
Authorities stress that these checks are part of a broader effort to restore fair competition in the yacht charter market, protect customers, and ensure safety standards across all vessels operating in the region. The aim is to balance growth with responsible governance, so that legitimate operators can compete on a level playing field while the risk posed by unregistered operators is kept in check. This ongoing initiative aligns with international best practices and reflects a commitment to stewarding coastal tourism in a responsible, sustainable way.
As Canada and the United States look to learn from European coastal markets, industry observers advise ongoing vigilance and robust data collection to map trends, evaluate the effectiveness of enforcement, and identify emerging risks in the charter sector. Marked citations from regulators and industry associations support these conclusions, underscoring the value of transparent reporting and collaborative enforcement for long-term health of the market.