A Strategic Look Ahead: The Balearic Superyacht Forum and Palma Boat Show 2025
- Becks Whitlocke
- May 6
- 4 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Palma de Mallorca once again was the location for two of the Mediterranean’s top spring season yachting events. We had a great week in Palma attending the second edition of the Balearic Superyacht Forum organised by the Balearic Marine Cluster, that was held on April 29–30, 2025 at the Auditorium of Palma right on the port.
The Forum was timed just before the 41st edition of Palma International Boat Show (PIBS) organised by ADR Balears of the Regional Ministry of Enterprise, Employment and Energy and Balearic Yacht Brokers Association (BYBA) that was held April 30 to May 3 at Marina Moll Vell.
Thanks to the Captains, charter brokers, marinas, shipyards, yacht managers, yacht designers and media we spoke to face-to-face about Guest Trip and our offering for the yachting sector. It's always valuable to have people on the ground to hear feedback and refine our product fit.
The Balearic Superyacht Forum 2025
With more than 100 companies confirmed, the Balearic Superyacht Forum presented a rare space to connect with industry peers, listen in on data-backed insights, and help map the sector’s future.
Organised by the Balearic Marine Cluster, conversations focused on innovation and ideas that will shape the future of the superyacht sector in the Balearics and greater Mediterranean. Key themes that were discussed included marina infrastructure challenges and opportunities, refit growth, and evolving regulations.
Rather than just standard panels, the format also included interactive sessions for event attendees - ten focused Hackathons, each built to encourage solutions, not just talk. These mini sessions were fun and interactive - a hive of conversation and collaboration that highlighted different perspectives. Attendees could choose one of the sessions, each 90 minutes long. The topics for the Balearic Superyacht Forum Hackathons included:
Cost Clarity in Refit Projects
Building transparency and trust in refits by streamlining how costs are forecast, tracked, and billed.
Refit Infrastructure Growth
Rethinking how the Med’s shipyards and service points scale to meet growing demand.
Subcontractor Workflow Management
Mapping how better planning tools and clearer roles can reduce delays and disputes.
Improving the Refit Client Journey
From live project dashboards to clearer updates, improving customer experience.
Cybersecurity in Yachting
Tackling cybersecurity standards for yachting and how to embed layered digital protection into yacht systems, crew procedures, and refit processes.
Next-Gen Antifouling and Regulation
Addressing how to keep hulls clean while complying with BPR and legal regulations.
Upskilling the Superyacht Workforce
Exploring ideas to attract and retain talent and promote yachting as a career with clearly defined employment pathways.
Enhancing Marketing & Communication in Yachting
A deep dive into how yachting can improve its reputation and better communicate its value beyond luxury elements.
Green Marinas and Renewable Energy Solutions
Creating power-smart, low-impact marinas to meet the shift toward hybrid and electric yachts and alternative fuels.
Waste & Water Management in Marina Ops
Practical steps to better manage bilge, grey water, and potable water use.
The first day ended with a lovely VIP dinner at El Náutico with industry networking. The expert think tank on Day Two at the Balearic Superyacht Forum brought interesting discussions about refit infrastructure and business models. There was opposing debate from the panel and audience about the need for standardised documentation, and the strength of subcontractor networks for refit and repairs across the Mediterranean.
Ultimately, shipyard competition is viewed as healthy for the sector, with cost transparency and inclusions/exclusions from trusted yards carrying far more weight than vague refit specs and proposals. Captains, chief engineers, owner representatives and management are clearly asking the question: “What’s in it for me?”
Palma International Boat Show 2025
Held from April 30–May 3 at Marina Moll Vell, PIBS 2025 raised the bar. According to the Balearic government, last year’s show generated more than €20 million, extending the tourist season and adding revenue across hospitality, transport, and service sectors.
This year, a 5,000m² space at Club de Mar, linked by sea shuttle to Moll Vell, expanded the exhibition areas. It’s a strong sign of growth, with a wide range of yachts displayed in this new area.
On land, over 295 exhibitors showcased the latest in tech, brokerage, charter, services, build and refit.
Spotlight Zones at PIBS
Superyacht Village
A curated line-up of 24m+ yachts and high-end tech, with a dedicated Refit & Repair zone.
Superyacht Square
Focused on startups, crew, and sustainability, with a presence from Yachting Ventures, Ethical Yachtwear and ACREW.
Superyacht New Build Hub at Club de Mar
Featuring leading yards and Project Zero, a 68.9m yacht under construction at Vitters that aims to operate with no combustion engines.
Yachts on Display
From day boats to world cruisers, the dock lineup included the debut of the 26-metre St Barth 85 Fly by Moravia Yachting, 37.5-metre Escapade with exterior design by Dubois, M/Y Lemon not Lime by Riva, and the classic 1946 Cassiopeia.
Guest Trip’s Takeaways
Yachting companies must be forward-thinking and use the critical data and insights transforming yacht migration and charter activity right now such as investing in and upgrading marinas, refit sector expansion and seasonality creating peaks and dips in occupancy. We need to see marinas and yards as ecosystems outside of just themselves, with a huge flow-on reach for social, environmental and economic impact for local communities.
The industry needs to stay on top of environmental changes and ongoing regulations and restrictions for anchoring, emissions and waste.
A number of great seminars including the Estela Yachting panel about ‘Media & Social Media in Yachting’ that was part of the "Thalassophilia!" program on the morning of May 1st highlighted the role that individuals and companies can all take to improve yachting’s reputation. We need to focus on communicating the beneficial aspects of the industry such as humanitarian causes or the wider economic impact to regions.
Guest Trip had a successful time attending both the Balearic Superyacht Forum and Palma International Boat Show 2025 and gaining access to high-level insights and direct engagement with decision makers representing charter brokerages, shipyards, marina operators and maritime service providers.
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