Palma: a hub for superyacht refit and maintenance

Hill Robinson Spain adds value to this regional market by providing professional refit project consultancy for refit and maintenance projects of all sizes, both for external clients and its managed fleet of yachts

Renowned for its quality facilities and skilled workforce, Palma’s refit and maintenance sector represents an integral part of the region’s economy. In a report published by the Balearic Marine Cluster, data from 2022 revealed that the sector represented 282 companies and €459.38 million in turnover across the Balearics, with most activity taking place in Mallorca. Furthermore, the island’s prominent shipyards – Astilleros de Mallorca and STP Shipyard – continue to invest in their infrastructure to accommodate more, and larger, yachts.

Due to Palma’s importance as a refit and maintenance hub, our team has been based there since 2017. With an office close to Palma’s main marinas and shipyards on Avenida de Gabriel Roca, our Spanish office encompasses an experienced team that offers refit and maintenance project management as well as operational and technical support, yacht management and crew recruitment. Today, the team’s expertise is a reliable and trusted resource for owners and captains in the region.

The local project management division is headed up by Nacho Diaz, who joined us in 2020 following a 10-year term in the management team at Astilleros de Mallorca. From over 13 years of being involved with over 100 superyacht refits in Palma, Nacho has garnered strong relationships with, and knowledge of, the shipyards and local contractors and is eager to share this expertise with any owners and captains seeking additional support with refit and maintenance projects.

“My colleagues and I take care of all pre-planning for shipyard periods and coordinate and oversee all the works taking place, ensuring standards and keeping to the schedule and budget,” Nacho explains. “We have an incredible range of experience, from preventative maintenance planning and repairs to major refurbishments, including hull extensions and complete yacht overhauls. No job is too small or too complex.”

In the past year, our Spain team of project managers have overseen over 10 maintenance and refit projects on board yachts over 30 metres. This included Nacho’s role as project manager for the ambitious refurbishment of 71m Lürssen SKAT in STP, which was pivotal in ensuring the project was successfully completed on schedule and within budget.

Our Spain office also incorporates an operational yacht management division, which encompasses ISM compliance, safety and security audits and accounting, and its crew recruitment division places hundreds of crew every year under MLC standards. A recent addition to the team is Josie Burke, who joined us from OmniAccess earlier this year as Client Relationship Manager and is the perfect link between clients and the experienced team.

“Having worked with Hill Robinson in Palma for many years in my previous role, I’ve always known they have a fantastic team with extensive experience,” Josie comments. “Now that I am working 100% with the team, my goal is to shout about all the amazing work we do so more clients can access our expertise and knowledge. Get in touch with me and we can explore these possible solutions together.”

Whatever the size of your project and level of support you require, Hill Robinson Spain should be your first port of call for maintenance and refit project management in Palma and mainland Spain.

Contact Josie here.

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