Spanish boatbuilders are doing well internationally

THE number of boats registered in the Balearics last year was 1'716, which puts the islands in third place, behind Andalucia with 2'897, and Cataluña with 2'809, as the region with most registrations. The Spanish nautical sector had a turnover of 276.8 million euros in 2005 which, in the opinion of the business owners, was a deceleration of the growth experienced over the last few years, according to a report prepared by the Fira de Barcelona for the 2006 International Boat Show. A total of 13'088 boats were produced in 2005, of which 6'575 were pneumatic, 5'793 were motor boats and 720 were sailing boats. Of the total number of motor and sailing boats, 4'323 were exported (with a value of 78.5 million euros). This was a figure which confirmed that Spanish boatbuilders are expanding internationally.
During 2005, the sector imported 9'858 sailing and motor boats, whose estimated value was 612.8 million euros.
The report highlighted that there was a trend towards small sports and leisure boats.