Spain’s Balearic boating market is set to register a modest increase in the number of boat registrations for 2023 compared to last year. In the first 11 months of 2023, 1,059 recreational boats have been registered in the Balearic Islands, according to Spain’s recreational boating trade association ANEN. The Balearics accounted for 18.12% of the total number of Spanish vessels registered so far this year. This full total was 5,844 registrations, up 3.6% on the first 11 months of 2022.

The boating sector statistics are drawn from the ’Pleasure Boat Market Report. January-November 2023’, edited by ANEN based on data provided by the General Directorate of the Merchant Navy.

The archipelago retains its national leadership by province, followed by Barcelona, with 10.56%, and Madrid, with 7.10%. Catalonia boasts the largest share of the country’s leisure marine market, with 19% ot total registrations, with the Balearic Islands second. According to the study, 65% (3,808) of the total registrations in Spain relate to vessels for private use and 35% (2,036) to vessels intended for rental.

“The national nautical market maintains the stability of previous months with registrations that are concentrated in small boats and jet skis,“ said Jordi Carrasco, ANEN’s general director. “In this scenario, from the employers’ association we are attentive to the behaviour of the market, also in the European environment where the situation is similar and the impact of economic uncertainty on sales is also concentrated on small and medium-sized boats.”