The Barcelona Clúster Nàutic of Spain yesterday said one of its main objectives for 2016 was to attract more superyachts to the Spanish port city through tax incentives and easier visa laws.

The association, which includes institutions and companies working for the competitiveness of the marine industry, also revealed its numbers has now grown to 71 members and the goal in 2016 would be to reach 100 members.

The association represents a sector that is a driving force for Barcelona’s economy. 

According to a study by the Chamber of Commerce of Barcelona, the 305 companies related to the marine sector in Barcelona generated revenues worth €836 million ($913 million) through direct, indirect and induced economic impact and up to 8,300 jobs. 

The 71 cluster members represent the 62 per cent of these figures, the association revealed. 

Superyachts are one of main drivers of business in the city, at the ports and marinas of the Barcelona coastline and businesses dedicated to repair and refit, including the Marina Barcelona 92 and Varador 2000 shipyards, and a wide range of SMEs engaged either this area or other services to the captains and crews of superyachts.

According to a study from the United States Superyacht Association, it is estimated that the annual cost of a 55-metre yacht totals €2.9 million ($3.17 million), two-thirds of which is generated through economic impact for the city in which it is moored, excluding the salaries of the crew.

With the expansion of Marina Port Vell and the creation of Marina Vela, whose construction began last September and is expected to be completed in 15 months, Barcelona will add about 160 new berths for superyachts. 

They will be in addition to the berths offered by Port Forum (31), Port Olimpic (19), Real Club Nautico de Barcelona (18), Mataró Marina (25) and Vilanova Grand Marina (49), among others.

"With only 5 per cent of world traffic of these yachts, the 300 berths are filled, and this represents a huge economic impact for the city. In the industrial sector, refit and repair alone, the revenues could be more than €210 million ($229 million) a year, while the impact on ports would be around €70 million ($76 million)," says Barcelona Clúster Nàutic President Toni Tió.

To attract more superyachts to Barcelona, the association has been promoting the city to leading players in the industry worldwide and is now working towards improving the legal environment with significant improvements to VAT for non-EU yachts and towards easier access to Shengen visas.