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COVID vaccinations
We receive many calls from captains and crew, asking about COVID vaccinations. There is no vaccination-on-demand available anywhere in the world that we are aware of, except the UAE and Russia.The UN’s ILO and IMO agencies, as well as various maritime unions and...
Order toiletries and consumables from the UK?
Creams, lotions and other toiletries are considered pharmaceutical products in Spain and can only be imported from outside the EU by licensed medical agencies. If you have previously ordered dermatological or toiletry products directly from UK suppliers, please note...
Need a PCR test in the UK? Get a home test kit from Randox for just £60!
Travelling to or from the UK and need to obtain a PCR test? Courtesy of ESTELA SHIPPING, yacht crew can now get 50% off home test kits from the UK’s largest test provider, RANDOX. The full price of the kit is £120, but apply code ‘estela’ to reduce the price to only...
UK removes COVID testing exemption for seafarers
Since April 6th, seafarers arriving in the UK and staying more than two days have been obliged to undergo rapid ‘lateral flow’ tests during their stay. While remaining exempt from the 10-day quarantine/self-isolation rules that apply to other travellers, crew must...
Latest fiscal amendments with impact on the superyacht chartering season 2021 in the Mediterranean
The below is a summary of the most relevant fiscal amendments with effect on the superyacht chartering activity in the Mediterranean in 2021:France: The new situation for summer season 2021 is that full VAT rate - 20% - will be charged for time spent in EU waters....
Balearic Islands ban single-use plastic
A ban on disposable plastics in the Balearics came into force this month. The sale, distribution and use of disposable plastic products is now prohibited, such as non-recyclable coffee capsules, plates, cutlery, cups, trays, drinking straws, disposable wipes and rings...
Global Airfreight Forwarding by ESTELA Shipping
As the ESTELA Shipping name suggests, we provide worldwide freight forwarding services. But did you know we also do airfreight? Whether it is delivering spare parts to berthed or anchored vessels, or the return of spare parts, we can arrange for transportation and...
Easter COVID rules/regs around the Med
SPAIN No yacht restrictions, subject to health declarations and PCR tests (<72 hrs)Hospitality is open only on terraces, until 5pmGroups may be no more than 6, from no more than two households, including on boardShops are open, with some capacity restrictions and...
Spain introduces 10-day quarantine for arrivals from South Africa
With effect from 8th March 2021, all arrivals from South Africa in Spain will be required to quarantine for 10 days following arrival. Please note that seafarers are NOT exempt from this requirement, though are permitted to self-isolate on board. Quarantine must be...
OFFICIAL travel information sources for crew (and non-crew)
Global travel eligibility checker: https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/#(note that all airlines’ policy is guided by IATA)Travel to Spain, general:For general travel to Spain: https://reopen.europa.eu/en/map/ESP/7001Spain health declaration:...