The second conference on the socio-economic impact and blue economy in the cruise and recreational boating sectors, held yesterday in Tarragona and sponsored by Tarragona Cruise Port, Lantimar Group, and D-Marin, presented the environmental strategies of both sectors. Despite their specific characteristics, both share a commitment to marine environmental stewardship and a direct social and economic impact on the cities that host them. The 17 speakers participating in the two roundtables and presentations highlighted the strong commitment of the cruise and recreational boating sectors and their increasingly important role in sustainable economic growth.
After the welcome by Eduard Rovira, vice president of the Tarragona Provincial Council's Tourism Board, Beatriz Orejudo, General Manager of Lantimar Group, explained the key role of the shipping agent as local representatives of the shipowner in all land operations.
Next, Carmen Fernández, General Director of Crew Management and Consulting, a Spanish company that recruits and trains crew members for large cruise line groups, presented the great job opportunities on board, even for young people from Tarragona, which reinforces the assertion that the sector has a positive social and economic impact.
The last presentation before the first round table was given by Fernando Muñoz Bozzo, head of operations at the Cartagena Port Authority, who explained the similarities between the two cities and how the Murcian port city has transformed itself into a model more focused on tourism, thanks mainly to its successful commitment to cruises.
Cruise roundtable
The cruise sector, long immersed in a transition towards a more sustainable model, presented all the technical and human advancements it has implemented in recent years and its path towards a net-zero emissions future at the first roundtable discussion. The panel, moderated by Virginia López Valiente, Managing Director of Cruises News Media Group, included Fernando Pacheco, Managing Director of Explora Journeys and MSC Cruises; José Luis Gómez, Sales Representative for Catalonia at Mundomar Cruises – Princess Cruises; Irina Solomatina, Operations Director of Shorex at BC Tours; Beatriz Orejudo, Managing Director of Lantimar Group; and Alba Colet, Sales Director of Tarragona Cruise Port.
Pacheco emphasized the importance of harmony between cities and cruise ships and how technology is advancing to reduce pollution and the environmental impact of the industry, with the goal of making it 100% clean by 2050. Furthermore, customers are increasingly aware of environmental concerns, making them a key factor in choosing a cruise. New fuels, shore power connections, and self-sufficiency in water purification are among the significant advancements offered by modern cruise ships.
Gómez, in turn, highlighted the importance of collaboration with local businesses for smaller cruises. She also explained how the pandemic led to the retirement of more than 25 inefficient cruise ships and the launch of over 35 new, more sustainable ones. Eliminating paper and reducing food waste are key to this new model. Irina Solomatina explained how land transportation services for excursions have evolved towards eco-friendly models, including the introduction of bicycle tours. These excursions, operated by local companies, are a fundamental part of the cruise industry's economic impact.
For her part, Alba Colet explained the latest progress in the construction of the new cruise terminal that will be located at the Balearic dock and is scheduled to become operational before the summer of 2024. Colet also highlighted the increase in passengers and cruises that will be experienced from that point onwards and the associated economic impact, including pre- and post-cruise hotel stays, spending in shops, leisure and restaurants, jobs, etc.
Beatriz Orejudo of Lantimar Group, which operates locally in Tarragona as agents for MSC Cruises, maintains the alignment that the agency has had to face in order to comply with the environmental standards that its clients establish and its services guarantee the highest quality.
The port, for its part, plans to be available for the electrical connection of ships in 2026.
Recreational boating
Marta Spreafico, head of the Yachting & TPA department at Lantimar Yachting, opened the second part of the conference with a presentation on yacht agency services. Spreafico emphasized the personalized attention they provide to their clients, highlighting how this differs from online services. She noted that emergencies and unforeseen events are a key part of the core business of yacht agency agents.
The second round table of the day entitled “Economic and social impact of recreational boating” was led by Miquel Àngel Lliteras, manager of Pendennis Vilanova, the aforementioned Marta Spreafico, Rafael Aznar, general manager of D-Marín Spain and Ana Conesa, MARPOL product manager of Tradebe, moderated by Eva Miquel, managing partner of aWp Services.
Ana Conesa explained the importance of yacht waste management in ports to prevent it from ending up in the sea, including bilge water, oils, and fuel. The sector needs skilled labor, and these are high-paying jobs that are nevertheless difficult to fill. Lliteras highlighted how new training programs have provided the sector with more qualified professionals, although many vacancies remain. Rafael Aznar of D-Marín explained that Spain, and specifically the Mediterranean, has marinas that accommodate luxury vessels from all over the world, and that the quality of service offered during these sheltered seasons sets them apart from those found elsewhere. Refit and repair services are fundamental to choosing a marina and thus increasing the economic impact this sector has on cities. Tarragona still has a world of opportunities in this regard. The sector has been committed to digitalization and sustainability for some time, but its positive impact remains largely unknown to local stakeholders.
The event was closed by the mayor of Tarragona, Ruben Viñuales, who highlighted the collaboration between the City Council and the Port, emphasizing that Tarragona is a maritime city and stating that Tarragona is firmly and unequivocally committed to these sectors that are so beneficial to the city.
AWP services and Cruises News Media Group are the driving force behind these types of events focused on the blue economy, in collaboration with port authorities interested in promoting these activities among their tourist and port communities.
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