Press Kit 1. Introduction Barcelona Nautical Cluster was set up in October 2013 to make nautical activities a driver of the economy of the city, its metropolitan area and of the whole country, taking advantage of the existence of a sector that brings together industry, companies, organisations and research centres with a high potential for generating wealth and value. Following the rationale of the clusters that drive innovation and excellence in a given sector and seek to achieve a productive economy to capitalise on all the capabilities of the surrounding area, Barcelona Nautical Cluster aims to generate added value for the nautical sector by drawing on the contribution of all the stakeholders involved. Its main purpose is to foster and promote economic and business activities to enhance the competitiveness of the sector and to turn Barcelona into an international benchmark. More than 350 companies in Barcelona Barcelona's seafront offers optimal conditions for becoming a benchmark for nautical activity. Barcelona brings together more than 350 companies engaged in nautical products and services, such as shipbuilding, chartering, nautical gear, brokers, accessories, motor or water sports, to name just a few of the many segments involved. In addition to this, the city offers an infrastructure that is unique in the Mediterranean area, for its draught for long vessels for example, and the presence of one of the most prestigious shipyards for yacht repair and maintenance. The companies that comprise Barcelona Nautical Cluster have a total turnover of approximately 190 million and employ around 1,700 people. Furthermore, Barcelona has a long-standing relationship with the sea, reflected in its pioneering role in promoting nautical sports and in the fishing and maritime traditions of its waterfront neighbourhoods. As a very popular international tourist destination, the city has also proven its ability to organise international sporting events, such as the Barcelona World Race, or the International Boat Show of Barcelona; it is an industry leader in Spain and a founding member of the International Federation of Boat Show Organizers (IFBSO). A nautical district The urban area representing the epicentre of Barcelona Nautical Cluster is a unique example of port-city integration, the site of a public area that hosts a wide range of cultural, recreational, commercial and sport activities with many economic and business initiatives and institutions, universities and research centres dedicated to research and training in the maritime and nautical field. The location of the cluster in the Barceloneta district is a clear indication of the will to play an active role in socio-economic fabric, stimulating a production model based on re-
industrialisation and making it possible to generate and distribute wealth in its immediate environment, which is the Barceloneta, but also in the Old Town (Ciutat Vella), in Barcelona and throughout Catalonia. 2. A production model based on knowledge, training and R&D+i Barcelona Nautical Cluster is committed to a production model that can promote knowledge, training and R&D+i in the nautical and maritime field. Specialisation, professionalism and innovation are values that underscore their activities in search of an industrial production model that takes advantage of the competitive advantages in an area like the nautical sector, which could play an essential role in promoting growth and creating jobs and wealth. Promoting maritime studies in primary, secondary, university and vocational education, and the occupations related to the maritime and nautical areas means committing to knowledge to stimulate activities that can drive economic and business competitiveness through research, innovation and technology transfer. The purpose is to build a model in which knowledge can attract investment and business opportunities to Barcelona and Catalonia, while it can be exported internationally through highly qualified professionals who can then go to work abroad. At present, Barcelona Nautical Cluster comprises almost sixty members, including Marina Barcelona 92, Marina Port Vell, the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC), the El Far Consortium and the Barcelona Foundation for Ocean Sailing (FNOB), along with the City Council, Port of Barcelona and Barcelona Regional, who are the driving partners. This represents a heterogeneous profile that reflects the project's cross-cutting nature. The public-private structure of the Cluster allows the public partners to involve policymakers, while the existence of a business fabric provides operational thrust, greater knowledge of the sector and the job market and the transfer of know-how. 3. Objectives of Barcelona Nautical Cluster To create close collaborative links between the various stakeholders for whom the sea is an element of identity, to look for synergies and channel new business deals, agreements and joint projects. To establish optimal conditions and a favourable business climate to strengthen the competitiveness of companies and organisations working in the nautical sector. To promote activities related to research, development and innovation (R&D+i) in the maritime sector. To maintain a fluid and participatory dialogue among Public Administrations, industry and suppliers of products and services and the community. 2
To analyse the most interesting future trends and the changing needs of the sector to adapt industrial supply and specialised services. To respond to training needs by adapting curricula in the light of the main trends and facilitate links between companies, universities and training centres to promote knowledge. To implement actions to promote the nautical industry, to consolidated segments and growth, as well as emerging niche markets and other strategic business lines. To increase the local offer of activity for pleasure craft, using the potential of this business as a driver and a stimulator of a whole range of sub-sectors and activities, as well as an important source of indirect expenses that benefit the city (supplies, restaurants, hotels, private transport, etc). To achieve excellence in local businesses and promote cooperation among them, fostering new management systems and models within the industry and intensively incorporating ICT and other corporate development tools. To work to simplify legislation and move towards a legal environment that facilitates the development of business, offering improved performance and flexibility to streamline procedures. To raise public awareness of the sea and nautical and recreational sailing, while promoting water sports as elements of social integration and relationship with the marine and coastal environment. 4. Main lines of action 4.1. Promotion and internationalisation The Cluster aims to publicise the appeal of Barcelona and its nautical sector at the main international trade fairs to attract all stakeholders that take part in, work with or consume nautical services. The objective is to make progress in attracting new members and to build up a critical mass making it possible to strengthen the position of the cluster, as well as establishing agreements with other international organisations and nautical operators. 4.2. Training and international R&D+i One of the fundamental priority pillars underlying Barcelona Nautical Cluster's activities is based on fostering and promoting active technology transfer and innovation among organisations, research centres and universities in a bid to promote specialisation in nautical activities and subsectors and seeking excellence in the training area. The organisation considers it vital to adapt to the training needs of the sector, which is why we are working with various stakeholders such as the Fundació BCN Formació Professional [Barcelona Vocational Training Foundation], the Nautical Academy or the El Far Consortium, among others. 3
4.3. Business opportunities Barcelona Nautical Cluster encourages an analysis of the main trends in the sector, to identify ongoing needs and their development to adapt the economic and business sector to them and promote emerging activities. The concentration of companies providing services and products for sports and recreation navigation; specialists in ship repair, maintenance and conversion; and the presence of clubs and marinas, among others, provides an opportunity to promote emerging niche markets and those experiencing growth to act as drivers in other activities. Furthermore, as a catalyst for this area, it aims to generate networking activities among the various stakeholders in the nautical and maritime sector and help to publicise the business options of the sector's SMEs. 4.4. Legal environment In this area, the organisation aims to foster an enabling legal and regulatory environment and optimal conditions for developing businesses and activities as well as proposals for streamlining procedures and making them more flexible. 5. Leading partners The international projection of the leading and founding members of Barcelona Nautical Cluster represents one of the main strengths of the organisation, which aims to consolidate Barcelona as an international benchmark for nautical activities. Barcelona City Council and the Port of Barcelona, Barcelona Regional, Marina Barcelona 92 and Marina Port Vell, along with the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, the El Far Consortium and the Barcelona Foundation for Ocean Sailing (FNOB) are the partners driving this initiative. Barcelona City Council and the Port are the two main public actors in the make-up of Barcelona Nautical Cluster, as part of a strong commitment by the city's governmental body to develop new production models that can leverage the competitive advantages offered by Barcelona. With the stimulus provided by this project, Barcelona City Council is seeking to strengthen the city's nautical and marine sector and contribute to promoting these activities all over the country. The internationalisation of the economy and the strength of the Barcelona brand are two key assets for the competitiveness of the city. Meanwhile, the Port of Barcelona - the economic driver of the country and a magnet to attract new investments, with its intense cruise activity and its role as one of the key cruise ports in the Mediterranean and Europe - is the other essential player in pushing forward this ambitious project. Barcelona has the highest turnover of all the Spanish ports in terms of value of goods and import / export cargo and thanks to more 100regular lines that connect the city directly 4
with 300 ports in five continents, the Port of Barcelona specialises in general cargo and goods with high added value, and diversification is one of its most distinctive assets. It is the top cruise port in Europe and the Mediterranean and ranks fourth worldwide as a turnaround destination. It is also the number one Mediterranean port for vehicle traffic. The parties promoting the cluster also feature a number of key players in promoting R&D+i and training. The Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC) is one of the main promoters of research and innovation in the maritime and nautical sector, offering various university degrees, master's and postgraduate courses, as well as specialisation courses addressing areas such as marine engineering, naval systems and technology, maritime law and business and port management, to name just a few. The activity of the UPC goes hand in hand with that of the El Far Consortium, the leading organisation dedicated to training in maritime trades and that of the Barcelona Foundation for Ocean Sailing (FNOB), which works to foster top-level competition yachting and to promote research and innovation in the field of sailing. Furthermore, among the conglomerate of companies that constitute the cluster, the organisation has internationally renowned members, such as one of the most prestigious shipyards for repair and maintenance of yachts and leaders in repair & refit activity for large yachts, a marina with 170 berths for long vessels and a set of infrastructures able to provide services to vessel crews and passengers alike. 5
6. Members Aage Hempel Arch Beacon BAdvocats Barcelona Crew Recuitment & Training Barcelona Nautic Center Barcelona Regional Barcelona Yachting Managment BCN Charter (Hermanos Guasch) BCN Nàutic Bujons Correduria d Assegurances Business Yachtclub Barcelona BWA Yachting Charter & dreams Cienpies Click&Go Nautical Solutions Confraria de Pescadors de Barcelona Compass Marketing Consorci El Far Dexter Technologies Econano EMV Marine Evolution Yacht Agents Federació Catalana de Vela Fira de Barcelona FNOB Futur Nautic Grupo Arelsa Grupo Fabkina Global Marine INFE Proyectos Jotun Ibérica SA Marina Badalona Marina Barcelona 92 Marina Port Vell Marcelo Penna Yacht Design Marina Vela Medenisa Mestre Advocats Museu Marítim Nautiel Services North Sails Nova Bocana Barcelona Pantenius Pertrechos Náuticos Port 2000 Port Fòrum Port Olímpic QStar Serveis Costers Integrats Reial Club Nàutic de Barcelona Reial Club Marítim de Barcelona Smartsea Solé Diesel Tack Velas Tax Marine The Nautical Academy UPC/Facultat de Nàutica Varador 2000 Vilanova Gran Marina (*) List updated on 17.06.2015 6
Barcelona Nautical Cluster - Key facts Set up in October 2013 President: Toni Tió General Manager: Alejo Trullás Number of members (On 17.06.2015): 58 Main lines of action Promotion and internationalisation Training and R&D+i Business opportunities Legal environment Overall turnover of all members of the cluster: 190 million Number of employees of all cluster members: 1,700 Key facts of the nautical sector in Catalonia: Catalonia has 44 marinas and recreational boating docks spread along 780 km of coastline. 50% of the nearly 1,200 companies involved in the nautical sector in Catalonia are concentrated in the Barcelonès, Maresme and Garraf districts and Barcelona alone has 350. Catalonia has more than 30,000 berths, all told. Catalonia has seven ports with a capacity for superyachts (more than 24 metres long): Port Tarraco (Tarragona); Vilanova Gran Marina (Vilanova i la Geltrú); Marina Port Vell (Barcelona); Port Olímpic (Barcelona); Port Fòrum (Barcelona); Port of Mataró; Port Roses (Roses). Contact For further information: Mireia Saenz - msaenz@manifestacom.com Phone: 93 342 51 59 www.barcelonaclusternautic.com 7