Global nautical strategy takes shape in Mallorca
This weekend, nearly a hundred participants in the annual joint congresses of the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) and the International Federation of Boat Show Organisers (IFBSO) will bid farewell to Mallorca. Over the past week, they have experienced first-hand the strength of the Balearic nautical sector, the high standard of its nautical facilities, and the excellence of the companies operating at the heart of the Western Mediterranean.
Over five intensive days, from Sunday, May 25 to Thursday, May 29, Mallorca played a central role in this year’s global nautical sector discussions, hosting representatives from leading industry associations and the most prestigious and influential boat shows worldwide.
During the event, Frank Hugelmeyer, president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), was elected the new president of ICOMIA for a two-year term. Meanwhile, the Spanish marine trade association ANEN, represented by José Luis Fayos, joined the International Board of Directors, strengthening Spain’s role and presence in the global marine sector.
This was the first time that Palma, the capital of the Balearic Islands, hosted this high-profile gathering of key players in the global marine industry, with attendees from countries including New Zealand, Japan, South Africa, Australia, Turkey, and the United States, along with most European nations such as France, Italy, and Germany. Also present were presidents and directors of major boat shows such as Düsseldorf, METS, Cannes, Miami, Palma, and Barcelona.
Throughout the congress, industry leaders engaged in discussions about the future and challenges facing the sector, following an ambitious agenda that included talks, debates, technical sessions, working committees, networking activities, professional visits, and social events—all set against the stunning Mediterranean backdrop of Mallorca.
In addition to ICOMIA and IFBSO’s general assemblies, the event featured collaborative meetings and workshops on topics such as sustainability, market intelligence, marketing, innovation, sales, and an in-depth analysis of the Spanish nautical market. The event concluded on Thursday evening with a grand gala dinner, marking the end of a congress that firmly positioned Palma as the global capital of the nautical industry.
The congress was organized by the Spanish Association of Nautical Companies (ANEN), in collaboration with the Balearic Ministry of Business, Employment and Energy, through its coordinating agency, the Balearic Islands Regional Development Agency (ADR Balears). Among the goals of the organizers was to showcase the strength and quality of the Spanish — and particularly Balearic — nautical sector to representatives from across five continents. It also aimed to reinforce Palma’s position as a strategic hub for global yachting and to build connections with key players in international markets.
The visiting leaders of the global marine industry were left impressed by the tours of Mallorca’s key nautical facilities — including Alcudiamar, Puerto Portals, Port Adriano, Astilleros de Mallorca, STP Shipyard Palma, Club de Mar, and the Port of Palma.
Frank Hugelmeyer emphasized that “the U.S. marine industry generates $230 billion annually. Many of the large yachts from U.S cruise the Mediterranean, stopping for maintenance and services in Spain—especially in Palma.” He also praised the local reception, adding, “We are very grateful to our hosts for such a warm welcome. Palma has embraced the global marine industry with open arms. It’s been a great event.”
Niels Klarenbeek, president of IFBSO and director of the Metstrade show, added: “It’s always special to gather with colleagues from the industry, but doing so in Palma, with this inspiring atmosphere near the harbor, has been truly exceptional. These past days have allowed us boat show directors to strengthen bonds and exchange ideas on how to elevate these events globally. We represent major shows with a global outlook as well as many strong regional events operating in specific parts of the world. What’s been beautiful is the spirit of cooperation and shared learning—there’s been no sense of competition,” he said. Regarding the Palma International Boat Show (PIBS), he highlighted: “Palma is doing an excellent job, particularly with its growing focus on the superyacht segment.”
“Everyone has loved Palma as a city and what they’ve seen of Mallorca,” said José Luis Fayos, one of the event’s organizers and head of ANEN’s Technical and Internationalization Area. “The attendees were highly engaged, and there was a lot of commitment to tackling the many challenges the industry faces—such as tariffs, trade wars, and the shortage of skilled labor. We’ve looked at both the present and the future of the sector, covering issues like sustainability and strategies for attracting new users and younger generations. One of the key benefits of these meetings is the opportunity to share experiences and identify common challenges faced by the sector in different countries,” he notes.
Jordi Carrasco, ANEN’s general director, added, “Some of the visitors were already familiar with Palma, others were not—but what matters is that they all had the chance to witness the strength of the nautical sector in the Balearics and Spain. They were impressed with the quality of our marinas and yacht clubs—not only for large vessels but for the wide variety of boat sizes we accommodate. We’ve demonstrated that the Balearics is a well-represented player in the industry. They also saw the excellence of our refit and repair companies, service providers, and accessory manufacturers. Their conclusion: we are an ideal destination—both for vessel maintenance and for nautical tourism.”