With the motto ‘Challenging the Blue Future’, the Real Liga Naval Española and the Clúster Marítimo Español have convened the VI National Maritime Congress, the forum that unites the voice of the wide range of sectors and activities that make up the Spanish maritime universe. A key architect of the event, scheduled to take place in Madrid on February 12 and 13 next year, is the president of the Real Liga Naval, Juan Díaz Cano, whom we interview today.
The Spanish merchant navy continues to decline, but the government refuses to reform the Canary Islands registry to bring it up to the level of competitors, as shipowners demand. Do you agree with the government?
I have the feeling that this is an issue that interests no one. The government, because it avoids an open confrontation with the major unions, and the shipowners, because their current situation of operating their ships under third-party registries is comfortable and profitable. Only this explains why the Canary Islands registry has become a poorly cured myth absolved through oblivion.
There is much talk about the dysfunctions of ports and their poor governance. Generic, ambiguous proposals are put forward, which never come to fruition. How do you see the situation?
The problem with ports lies in their political structure under a strange model in which Puertos del Estado is configured as an entity that balances the interests of the different Port Authorities, politically controlled by the Autonomous Communities. I believe we should seek a less politicized model, more open, professional, and with greater involvement of private initiative.
The European Commission, with full regulatory powers over fishing, has dealt a severe blow to fishing activity in the Mediterranean. The fishermen’s guilds protest because this measure condemns them to disappear and is not supported by solid reports on the state of fishing grounds. Is the issue expected to be addressed within the framework of the VI congress?
Indeed, this will be one of the topics discussed. The weak negotiating power of our representatives in Brussels is concerning, given the situation faced by a fishing sector that has seen its fleet reduced by 57% over the last 33 years. To this, we must add the problem stemming from the worrying lack of generational renewal affecting the sector.
Let’s talk about maritime administration. In Barcelona, they cannot meet the demands of recreational boating (registrations, clearances, etc.) due to a lack of staff. This is not the only case. There is talk of privatizing certain legal obligations.
The excessive bureaucratic procedures incurred by the Spanish maritime administration are encouraging the flight of the national sports registry to other community flags, among which Poland has recently stood out. Solving this problem would require a new approach, including, among other measures, the privatization of certain procedures and certifications through classification societies.
Many forums (congresses, conferences, colloquiums…) do not dare to delve deeply into the sector’s problems, probably to avoid displeasing the government, unions, or employers. Logically, their conclusions and their time come to nothing.
Unfortunately, that is the case. In practice, the maritime sector has become complacent and fearful of public authorities.
However, we must not lose hope that things will change and that little by little we will be able to influence governments, regional administrations, and society in general to highlight the strategic importance of the blue economy.
What would it take to make political parties understand the need for a Ministry of Maritime Affairs to put an end to dysfunctions and administrative chaos?
Public authorities must understand that a sector like the maritime one cannot depend transversally on up to eight ministries. This fact prevents the development of coherent maritime policies in the medium and long term. Aware of this, we have invited the two main national political parties to participate in the Congress so that this demand from the sector—calling for the establishment of a Ministry of the Sea—can ultimately become a reality.
