FUEL - FORMALITIES - PROVISIONS - CONCIERGE |
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- Montenegro reinstates fuel tax exemption for yachts
- French court issues hefty fines for superyacht anchor damage
- Marshall Islands issues warning after 22 seafarer deaths
- STCW goes electronic amid increase in fake certification scams
- US Coast Guard imposes regulated navigation area in Miami
- Updated MLC crew welfare protocols come into force
- Antigua Yacht Show back to full strength
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Miss our seasonal blockbuster? |
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If you didn't see our annual movie in your social media, here's your chance to watch probably our most exciting production yet!
Previously, we brought you 'Reservoir Yachts' and 'The A-Team'. This time, ESTELA's Palma team presents 'Mission Impossible', with our crack team of Special Agents facing another momentous challenge. Can they get the job done once again? Sit back, grab a coffee and find out!
We wish you a healthy and prosperous 2025. And if you're making plans for the summer season, read on below for 99 reasons why Mallorca should be at the top of your list. We look forward to seeing you in Palma soon!
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Montenegro reinstates fuel tax exemption for yachts |
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Montenegro's Ministry of Finance has introduced a regulation exempting yacht and other vessel owners from paying fuel excise taxes, aiming to promote nautical tourism. The excise tax on fuel currently ranges from 33 to 44 cents per litre and is included in the VAT base. The regulation, published on the government website, will take effect upon publication in the Official Gazette. Starting in January, the regulation details the supply of fuel and other excise goods to vessels and aircraft under customs supervision before leaving Montenegro's customs territory. The exemption can be granted on the condition that private vessels remain in Montenegro's territorial waters for at least 72 hours.
This solution will remain in effect until Montenegro joins the European Union. |
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French court issues hefty fines for superyacht anchor damage |
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The Marseille maritime court has recognised the ecological damage caused by the destruction of posidonia meadows and upheld the presumption of damage to the ecosystem when a ship anchors in an area protected by prefectural decree.
Two yacht captains of M/Y Take Off and M/Y Falcon were each sentenced to €20,000 euros and a one-year navigation ban in French territorial waters for violating Articles 2 and 4 of the prefectural decree. The associations France Nature Environnement (FNE Paca) and the League for the Protection of Birds (LPO Paca) filed a civil action against the captains. The court ruled that the captains' actions caused significant harm to the elements and were ordered to compensate for the ecological damage, taking into account the restoration cost method and the ecosystem services value method. The court estimated the area of damaged seagrass beds using the Griffiths study, which measures the estimated abrasion surface per square metre of the chain used by anchored pleasure craft. The total regeneration period of the Posidonia meadow is twenty-five years, but applying the progressive regeneration method lowers the actual value taken into account to thirteen years. The ecological damage was assessed at €86,537 for M/Y Take Off and and €22,423 for M/Y Falcon. In addition to these sums, the court ordered the two yacht captains to pay the civil parties compensation for their moral prejudice. |
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REMINDER: Seaman's Book required to stamp out in Palma |
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Since the start of 2024, yacht crew have been able to stamp out (on board) in Palma only with a Seaman's Book. Employment letters, contracts, etc, are no longer accepted as proof of seafarer status. As such, any non-EU crew embarking yachts in Mallorca without a Seaman’s Book have been subject to regular visa controls, with their permitted days in Schengen counting down. As before, crew members disembarking and entering Spanish territory must be in possession of the necessary visa to stay in or travel through the territory, as well as the economic means to support themselves during their stay. Proof of accommodation for the duration, an invitation letter, or a flight ticket are required. A key change is that in the absence of a Seaman's Book, immigration officials will only stamp the disembarking crew member's passport but not the crew list. In other words, in this instance, the boat will have no official record of that person leaving the boat. This measure has been affecting a large number of crew. Anyone without a Seaman's Book is strongly advised to apply for one without delay. In the meantime, as a workaround, our Palma office does have a supply of 'Record of Sea Service' books, which immigration police officials have been accepting to date. No guarantee is offered that this will remain the case in the long term, though to purchase one, contact us at palma@estelashipping.net or call +34 971 722 532. For complete information about the Seaman's Book and how to obtain one, should read our comprehensive guide HERE, which also contains links to the main issuing authorities. |
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STCW goes electronic amid increase in fake certification scams |
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Starting January 1, 2025, all new or renewed Seafarers’ Training Certification and Watchkeeping certificates must be issued in electronic format aligning with amendments adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) in 2023. Bluewater, meanwhile warned of the dangers of fake yachting certificates, noting a recent rise in fake certification scams. The leading crew training provider in an online post this week highlighted the risks to crew safety and yacht operations posed by fake or doctored certificates. |
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US Coast Guard imposes regulated navigation area in Miami |
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Coast Guard Sector Miami has announced a new regulated navigation area for Port Miami, Florida, establishing a no-wake zone for vessels less than 50 metres in length.
The rule will go into effect on January 29th to enhance the protection of high-risk vessel and port operations while reducing navigational hazards. It follows incidents involving high-speed vessel operations in Port Miami, resulting in loss of life and 13 injuries. |
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Updated MLC crew welfare protocols come into force |
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The amended Maritime Labour Convention (MLC, 2006) came into effect on 23 December 2024, addressing the welfare of seafarers, including yacht crew. Regulations mandate that masters of commercially operated yachts must provide free drinking water and balanced meals to crew members. The requirements mandate the provision of food high in nutritional value, quantity and variety, catering for religious or cultural requirements and provided free of charge. Weekly inspections of food, water and catering facilities become mandatory, with results recorded in the ship's logbook. The updated regulations also stipulate procedures for crew recruitment and placement, repatriation, as well as the provision of internet access, PPE, H&S, and financial security. |
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Planning your 2025 Mediterranean itinerary?
Here are 99 reasons why Mallorca should be top of your list
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https://bit.ly/99ReasonsMallorca |
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Antigua Yacht Show back to full strength |
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The 63rd edition of the Antigua Charter Yacht Meeting was the best attended since COVID, with 66 yachts on display, including the iconic 105m S/Y Black Pearl anchored in the bay.
Of course, ESTELA were there too. Below is Part 1 of our video report, including tours of 76m Oceanco, M/Y Wheels, and 62m VSY, M/Y Sealion. |
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If you're laid up for the winter season or undergoing refit in Spain, remember that ESTELA are in Palma, Barcelona, Vilanova and Valencia, so assistance is just a phone call away!
Palma de Mallorca: +34 971 722 532 / +34 638 816 803 / palma@estelashipping.net
Barcelona: +34 934 853 869 / +34 650 395 113 / yachts.barcelona@estelashipping.net Vilanova: +34 650 90 15 01 / vilanova@estelashipping.net
Valencia: +34 687 56 97 82 / valencia@estelashipping.net
We perform wherever you are |
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Planning your marketing campaign for 2025? |
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Need fuel in Barcelona? Our partners at Termopetroli Port Vell can assist you, at highly competitive rates. Call +34 638 81 68 03 |
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Avinguda Gabriel Roca 37C
Palma de Mallorca, IB 07014, Spain |
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