Catalonia's nautical sector generates over €1 billion and creates 4,000 jobs

The value chain of Catalonia's nautical sector generates an aggregate revenue of €1.028 billion and employs nearly 4,000 people within over 500 identified companies. These are the conclusions of the first phase of a study aimed at improving the competitiveness of the nautical sector, which is part of the project to decarbonize recreational vessels.

This initiative is one of the legacy projects driven by the Barcelona Nautical Capital Foundation, in collaboration with ACCIÓ-Catalonia Trade & Investment - the Catalan Government agency for business competitiveness - and Barcelona Activa - the economic development agency of the Barcelona City Council. This project, in the context of the America's Cup 2024 to be celebrated in Barcelona this summer, aims to enhance the competitiveness of the recreational nautical sector's value chain by committing to the challenge of decarbonization.

The study, commissioned by the consultancy Cluster Development, reveals that nearly 50% of the analyzed revenue comes from industrial activities, including refit shipyards and dry docks (€271 million), new construction shipyards (€90 million), and auxiliary industries (€96 million).

In the refit sector, there is a notable specialization in large yachts, with one of the world's leading companies based in Catalonia. This sector has a high degree of internationalization, whether from vessels worldwide choosing Catalonia for their refit processes or the development of dry docks in new geographical markets from Catalonia.

In the new construction shipyard sector, there is a specialization in smaller vessels, an area where new companies are emerging. The main market segments identified for shipbuilding companies are professional uses (patrol boats, passenger transport, fishing, defense, rescue, etc.), where Catalonia has a well-developed value chain and a strong position, alongside a significant degree of export. Additionally, we also find the construction of vessels for recreational use.

As regards the auxiliary industry, there is a noteworthy concentration of companies identified in the field of sustainable propulsion, with several Catalan companies manufacturing components for propulsion systems (engines, batteries, etc.). Additionally, companies from other well-developed sectors in Catalonia (automotive, rail, hydrogen) are entering the nautical sector, identifying opportunities resulting from the challenges of decarbonization.

Some identified companies have a strong focus on sustainability, offering specific solutions or integrating sustainability criteria into their business vision. For example, engineering firms specializing in areas such as ship energy efficiency; shipyards that apply eco-design principles and construct vessels using processes that optimize energy consumption; and manufacturers of sustainability solutions like energy storage systems, electric motors and generators, or alternative fuel consumption systems.

Sector challenges

This initial phase of the project has identified the main strategic challenges facing companies, which will be addressed through an action plan to be defined within the project's framework. The goal is to improve the competitiveness and decarbonization of the nautical sector's value chain.

Among the identified challenges are those related to developing solutions to enhance the sustainability of manufacturing processes, such as the use of new materials or technologies that optimize material consumption, reducing emissions and impacts during the vessels' lifecycle and end-of-life management by improving hydrodynamics or energy efficiency to reduce consumption, using sustainable propulsion systems, or retrofitting vessels. Challenges also include developing new markets, digitalization, scalability, productivity improvement, and training talent specifically related to sustainability in the nautical sector.

Additionally, there is a highlighted need for incentives and promotion of innovation and technology transfer, as well as knowledge management within the sector.

Next steps

In the coming months, thematic working groups with companies will be organized as part of the project to define an action plan. This plan will also analyze and draw inspiration from successful international benchmark initiatives. The action plan aims to become a turning point for making the Catalan nautical industry more competitive and a leader in sustainable transition. It also seeks to align the policies of various sectors related to the industry (ports, universities, technology centers, public administrations with blue economy strategies, etc.) to facilitate this process. The effective implementation of this action plan will be led by the Sectorial Table for the Decarbonization of Nautical Activities, established in May.

The table is chaired by ACCIÓ-Catalonia Trade & Investment and Barcelona Activa, with coordination provided by the Barcelona Nautical Capital Foundation and the Barcelona Nautical Cluster on the technical side. It comprises companies and stakeholders from the sector. The objective is to stimulate the nautical sector to advance decarbonization efforts, involving all relevant actors and to enhance the sector's competitiveness in Barcelona and Catalonia. This initiative leverages the challenge of decarbonization and the positive impact of hosting the 37th America's Cup in Barcelona.