Maximum anticipation ahead of the vote on the Ports Law that will allow 50 years’ concessions

The new text acknowledges their sporting and social role and provides for their protection when they can demonstrate their public utility.

The amendment to the Balearic Ports Law will be put to a vote tomorrow, Tuesday, May 12th, from 2:30 p.m., during the plenary session of the Parliament of the Balearic Islands, in what the Association of Balearic Yacht Clubs (ACNB) considers a “historic and crucial” session to guarantee the future of these non-profit entities across the archipelago. The association’s president, Toni Estades, will attend the session accompanied by representatives of various yacht clubs and the sailing and canoeing federations, including Paris Olympic medalist Joan Toni Moreno.

The legal reform, which is expected to receive the support of the parliamentary majority, was processed at the request of the ACNB and includes, among other measures, extending the duration of administrative concessions in ports managed by the autonomous community to a maximum of 50 years. It also opens the possibility for current concession holders to request extensions up to this new time limit.

Nautical clubs manage approximately 40% of the berths in the Balearic Islands and play a “fundamental and irreplaceable” role in providing access to recreational sailing. Around 70% of the boats moored at their facilities are under eight meters in length. The amendment to the Law recognizes the unique nature of yacht clubs not only in the composition of their fleet (mainly community-based), but also in their sporting role and in the possibility of protecting them when they demonstrate their public utility.

Over the past decades, ACNB members have trained sailors who became Spanish, European, and world champions, as well as Olympic medalists. They currently organize regional, national, and international competitions that position the Balearic Islands as one of Spain’s leading references in sailing and canoeing.

“If this Law is finally approved, tomorrow will be a historic day for the yacht clubs of the Balearic Islands located in ports under regional jurisdiction, as their sporting and social work will be legally recognized beyond mere words. This is a demand the association has upheld over the past two decades and which will finally become a reality. Hopefully, in the future, we will also see this recognition extended to clubs in ports of general interest that currently depend on the central government,” said Rafael Palmer, manager and legal advisor of the ACNB.