Sea lovers have a date at the nautical event ‘Thalassophilia!’

The Port Centre building, institutional headquarters of the Balearic Port Authority (APB) at Moll Vell in Palma, will host the first edition of Thalassophilia! from Wednesday, April 30 to Friday, May 2 — a nautical event designed by Estela Shipping Superyacht Agency in collaboration with Ports de Balears, combining education, innovation, and maritime culture.

Aimed at professionals in the nautical sector, environmental organizations, and sea lovers in general, the event will take place in a privileged location with views of Palma’s Port and Cathedral, offering three days of free lectures, workshops, debates, and open-to-the-public activities. The program includes three themed days focused respectively on marine sustainability, communication in the nautical sector, and maritime exploration, with workshops, roundtables, guest speakers, and social and networking encounters.

In addition, the event will offer an excellent networking opportunity during one of its highlights: the much-anticipated sunset cocktails. Of special note is the charity cocktail taking place on Thursday, May 1 from 5 p.m., benefiting the Almas Marinas Foundation, an organization dedicated to the education, conservation, and protection of the marine ecosystem in the Balearics. The evening will feature a charity raffle with a grand prize worth over €3,000: a spectacular water turbine courtesy of Sublue!

Entry is free, but raffle tickets can be purchased for just €10, with all proceeds going directly to the foundation’s environmental projects. A great opportunity to support an important cause — and with a bit of luck, go home with an amazing aquatic gadget!

PROGRAMME ‘THALASSOPHILIA!’ – Port Centre, Moll Vell – Palma de Mallorca

April 30 – Environment Day

9:30 h – Welcome by Mr. Javier Sanz, President of the Balearic Port Authority
9:35 h – Jorge Martín: “Sustainability as a competitive advantage. Best environmental practices for nautical facilities”
10:20 h – Roundtable: “Visions for a Blue Future”
Moderated by Victoria Salvà with participants David Pino, Ricardo Sanz, Lucía Mingot, and Isabel Teruel
15:00 h – Presentation by the Balearic Islands Employment Service (SOIB)

WORKSHOPS

9:30 h – INNOVATION, TALENT AND SUSTAINABILITY FOR TRANSFORMATION – Nacho Villoch
10:00 h – THE PLASTIC PROBLEM: SOLUTIONS AND EDUCATION – Pilar Carrero
11:00 h – MARINE PROTECTIVE BARRIERS – Carlos Samblas and Juan Jose Lemm (Almas Marinas)
11:30 h – PRESENTATION OF FUNDACIÓN MARÉ – TBA
12:00 h – PRESENTATION OF SAVE THE MED FOUNDATION
15:00 h – MANTA TRAWL – Research on microplastics (Almas Marinas)

"CAPTAIN FOR A DAY" – FALCAO I

YOUR SQUARE METER – Almas Marinas

17:30–19:00 h – SUNSET COCKTAIL FUNDRAISER ON THE PALMA PORT BUILDING TERRACE

May 1 – Yachting Day

All events in English

8:00 h – Networking breakfast on the Port Centre terrace (registration required)
8:30 h – Presentation: ‘Balearic-Tarragona Itinerary’ – Port La Ràpita, Delta Ebre Port & Terres de l’Ebre
9:15 h – PANEL: MEDIA & SOCIAL MEDIA IN YACHTING

• Martin Redmayne (The Superyacht Group)
• Alex Siegars (‘Yachties: Name, Shame and Fame’)
• Rhea Rouw (Yachting International Radio)
• Jana Thomas (Positive Waves Media)
• Sara Intonti (Content Angels)
  Moderator: James van Bregt (Estela Shipping)

10:45 h – PANEL: MARITIME SAFETY & SAFEGUARDING

• Engel-Jan de Boer (Lloyds Registry)
• Alfie Hincks (SeaScope Maritime)
• Laura Beard (ISWAN)
• Capt. Pietro Borgo
• Capt. Camilla Rothe
  Moderator: Adam Parnell, Director (Maritime), CHIRP

15:00 h – ITALIAN YACHT MASTERS

• Capt. Riccardo del Prete
• Capt. Lucio Prosperi
  Presenter & Moderator: Capt. Pietro Borgo

15:00 h – FRASER: The Calm Within the Storm
Workshop on Mental Wellbeing for Captains & Leaders hosted by Fraser Crew Management, featuring Amanda Beaver – expert in sea preparation, mental resilience & emergency first aid

17:30–19:00 h – SUNSET COCKTAIL FUNDRAISER BY ALMAS MARINAS

May 2 – Exploration Day

All events in English

8:00 h – Breakfast on the Port Centre terrace (registration required)
9:15 h – THE CREW NETWORK: SET SAIL FOR SUCCESS – Workshop for New Crew
9:15 h – PANEL: YACHT EXPLORATION

• Capt. Andrea Mura
• Capt. Maiwenn Beadle
• Richard Klabbers (DYT)
• Michelle van der Merwe (Pantaenius)
• Matthew Zimmerman (Farsounder)
• Dr. Spike Briggs (MSOS)
• Ernesto Esposito (OmniAccess)
  Moderator: Lucie Gardiner (Yachting International Radio)

11:00 h – ANDREA MURA: An Ocean Racing Legend
11:45 h – DIEGO COLÓN DE CARVAJAL: Columbus the Navigator
12:30 h – CAPTAIN MAIWENN BEADLE: Accidental Ice Queen
13:30 h – CLOSING OF THE EVENT