Following the success of the Balearic Superyacht Forum, we are delighted to introduce one of the key contributors to this achievement, our Headline Partner: Astilleros de Mallorca
Astilleros de Mallorca is an integrated refit & repair shipyard with over 80 years of uninterrupted history and experience, with its main site at the heart of the Port of Palma, where we service yachts between 24 and 120 metres. We also have offices and workshops at STP, where an important part of our projects and production take place, as well as other service points located on the Spanish Mediterranean coast.
We provide a wide range of services to yachts, from repair & refit to technical expertise & advice, spares & equipment procurement, planned maintenance, and various yacht services.
What sets Astilleros de Mallorca apart from others in the industry, particularly in the Balearic region?
We have a dual model that integrates in-house workshops covering key specialities, with an array of subcontractors of international recognition. We also adapt to our Client’s preferences and can assume different roles in different projects and locations.
Having our own workshops for key specialities is extremely valuable for the flexibility and control required by the refit & repair projects, where emergent works and unforeseen ones might otherwise compromise planning.
This dual model fosters synergies, allowing for the seamless execution of projects that may originate in one centre and conclude in another. The strategic deployment of our own team of project managers and the utilization of our skilled personnel for large-scale and intricate projects in shipyards and marinas owned by third parties also represents a clear differentiation.
What motivated Astilleros de Mallorca to become a headline partner for the Balearic Superyacht Forum?
Astilleros de Mallorca is not only the oldest company related to the yacht industry in the Balearic Islands, but it is also the company that during these years has led to the development of the refit industry and contributed decisively to the high international reputation of this sector. Our greatest motivation lies in our past history, and above all in our future challenges which unconditionally support this initiative.
How do you envision the forum contributing to the success of the Superyacht landscape in the Balearic islands?
Gone are the times when companies grew and improved their efficiency individually; today, companies grow faster when they share their experiences and support each other in their paths of progress. This is the true mission of ‘Cluster’, and the organization of the Superyacht Forum, which has the double objective of being useful for companies and at the same time reflecting the true potential of the Balearic Islands to the rest of the Superyacht industry.
From your perspective, what are some of the most significant trends currently shaping the superyacht industry?
- Sustainability (growing environmental consciousness, regulatory changes, and the search for greater efficiency),
- Growing Refit market, due to growing fleet, but also linked to environmental consciousness, as mentioned above.
- Professionalisation within the whole sector.
- 360º Lifecycle Service.
What are some of the key challenges that the industry, particularly in the Balearics, is facing, and how would you look to address them?
- Sustainability (growing environmental consciousness, regulatory changes, and the search for greater efficiency). The way we are addressing this is explained in more detail below.
- Supply chain tensions – This is a general concern internationally, which became more critical after the pandemic and the more recent geopolitical challenges that the world has been and is currently facing. What we have improved, both the shipyard and our main local suppliers, is our stock planning, whilst having also diversified our sources. Even though it is only an island, it certainly helps to have a unique local yachting industry with more than 400 specialized companies.
- Shortage of skilled workforce. Once again, this is a general concern internationally within the yachting industry. This has been in our radar for quite some time now, and we collaborate with different training centres so that its students can do internships in the company:
- Nautical Fishing School – Students at intermediate and advanced levels, taking internships in the machinery workshop.
- IES Politècnic – Participating in metal work, welding and maintenance practices.
- L’Embat – Students who have studied boat maintenance.
- San José Obrero – Students following an administrative education.
- At the University Degree level, there is extensive collaboration with the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, whose students come to train in the Projects and Technical Office departments.
- In the Summer the company has SOERMAR scholarships whose Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering students can also do internships in production.
- We also collaborate with the University of the Balearics (UIB). Professionals from the company participate as teachers and speakers in the Specialist Master in the nautical sector.
- As a result of the relationship between Astilleros de Mallorca and the University, the Project Management course emerged, specifically for the nautical sector, where professionals from Astilleros collaborate as lecturers.
How is your company embracing innovation and technological advancements to enhance its services or products?
We have personnel in different areas who identify what improvements can be implemented. The workshop teams focus on our processes, for example, identifying new machinery, tools or new materials for the workshops, while in the technical office their focus is on the product (the repaired yacht). For example, in electrification options or energy efficiency, they aim to achieve a yacht which is much more sustainable than its previous state, upon arrival at the shipyard.
We are certified as an innovative SME by the Spanish Government, a demonstration of our achievements and robust transversal procedures, in which the company collaborates as a whole. From our sales team, with their extensive knowledge of the fleet, to workshop operators who can better identify construction solutions. We have a policy of alliances with research centres for the development of innovative projects.
Can you discuss any sustainability initiatives or practices your company is implementing to promote environmental responsibility within the industry?
We have been certified by ISO 14001 for almost 20 years, and therefore we have been promoting environmental responsibility among our personnel, suppliers and clients for a long time. We have three strategic goals: sustainable yachts and repairs, shipyard and supply chain. Some of our achieved objectives and recent initiatives in these areas are:
Sustainable yachts and repairs:
- HIDRAM project to develop hydrogen/NH3 fuel cells specially designed for shipyards and vessels in alliance with the SOERMAR research centre and another 3 partners in a CDTI-granted project.
- Hybrid propulsion projects.
- ECO-Repair guide and circular policy will be implemented after the summer.
- First carbon footprint calculation of a repair in the upcoming months
Supply chain:
- Database including sustainable solutions and materials such as water-based paints to minimize VOC emissions; products supplied with an EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) like ABB motors that help us to identify the real impact it has; cleaners such as a chemical-free teak cleaner, or alternatives to the typical use of teak wood.
- 360º agreements with suppliers including environmental/sustainable performance.
Sustainable shipyard:
- Paint tent protection on our hard standing area is made of reusable panels (no single-use plastics on walls). Elimination of single-use plastics on underwater area protection (plastics reusable up to 10 times). Plus an ongoing initiative for the reduction of plastic used for protection and storage.
- Zero discharge yard (no SW discharge, nor hull cleaning waters or other products)
- More than 22 types of residues collected separately, 75% of them recycled, 26% valorised via creation of electricity and just 2% ends in a landfill. Improvements on separation of textiles and organic waste coming from the yachts to be ready this Summer (we already collect our canteen organics that are used to create compost).
- Improvements on our water use with control via 4.0 sensors providing alarms for an “open hose risk”.
- The feasibility of installing a water generator in the yard for yacht cleaning and other purposes and thus solely using the city supply for drinking water and sanitary use.
- Carbon footprint calculation and certification since 2019. 100% certified green electricity. Solar panels for self-consumption. Annual CO2 print reduction commitment of 5%. Highly innovative bet on local carbon offsetting using the principles of regenerative agriculture in our Symbiosis Project. ACS solar panels.
- VOC emissions reduction via cleaning technologies and shift of operations from open to confined environments.
- Collaboration with external companies to promote innovation and sustainability: AI Spill control cameras; bioremediation; Seabin project; autonomous ROV.
- Regular control of environmentally related parameters such as noise, emissions or use of resources.
- Standard practices for the use of green products: FSC paper, recycled toners, paper cups, non-bottled water, green labelled products.
Collaboration seems to be a key theme of the Balearic Superyacht Forum. How does your company approach collaboration and partnerships within the industry?
As mentioned earlier, we work with an array of companies (over 400 companies registered in our main shipyard), many of which have become close collaborators.
Also mentioned previously, we have collaboration agreements with other shipyards on the Spanish Mediterranean coast, where we can manage yachts under our umbrella, while working closely with them. We also have an office and workshop in Port Tarraco (1 hour in the south from Barcelona), a marina belonging to the OCIBAR group. They are also the owners of Port Adriano in Mallorca, where we have also been involved in various projects.
We are also founding members of several yachting associations at home and internationally; just to name a few:
- Balearic Marine Cluster
- ICOMIA Superyacht Refit Group
- AEGY (Spanish Association of Superyachts)
- SOERMAR (Spanish shipyards’ Technology Centre Foundation)
Are there any recent or upcoming partnerships or collaborations that you’re particularly excited about?
There are some very interesting ones to be disclosed in the following months!
Looking ahead, what do you see as the future of the superyacht industry, particularly in the Balearics?
In the coming years, the Balearic Islands will face a restructuring of its facilities that will allow it to provide service to larger yachts that currently cannot carry out dry dock works and must be moved to other ports. This is the biggest challenge that affects the Port Authority and the industry in general.
How is your company preparing to adapt to or capitalize on future developments in the industry?
Over the last five years, Astilleros de Mallorca has developed a program of improvements, both in management efficiency, energy efficiency and environmental control, always aimed at a new market in line with the future facilities in the Port of Palma.
Can you highlight some of the key services or initiatives your company offers to clients in the superyacht sector?
- Shipyard facilities
- Refit & Repair works
- Project Management
- Workshops (metal works, st.st., welding, mechanical & machinery, piping, hydraulics, electrical, electronics).
- Work teams able to provide service in different locations internationally,
- Technical Office and engineering
- Purchasing
- TPA Agents (Inward Processing), customs and logistics,
- Bonded warehouse
- AdM Supply – Specializing in delivering technical supplies directly to the yachts, efficiently sourced with worldwide delivery. Supported by our technical expertise, purchasing capacity and attractive shipyard rates.
Are there any new or upcoming projects or offerings from your company that you’d like to share with our audience?
As previously mentioned, we have some interesting news up our sleeves but that we cannot disclose at this time!
What message would you like to convey to attendees and participants of the Balearic Superyacht Forum?
The Balearic Islands have great growth potential always linked to investments in technology, innovation, energy efficiency and the quality of their services.
How can interested parties best engage with your company or learn more about your offerings?
Interested parties can engage with us through various channels. Our website offers comprehensive insights into our services, projects, and capabilities, detailing our refit and repair processes and specialities. Direct contact via email or phone enables personalized assistance for enquiries about projects or services. We offer facility tours for first-hand observation of our operations, emphasizing our commitment to excellence. Active participation in industry events facilitates networking and face-to-face interaction, fostering collaborations. Additionally, we utilize social media platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram for updates and industry insights. We prioritize our transparent communication and building strong relationships and above all delivering tailored services.
