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Hospitality restrictions eased in the Balearics
The Balearic Government has introduced new de-escalation measures, in effect now:● Night-time curfew now starts one hour later, at 23:00h, until 06:00h● Outdoor bar/restaurant terraces may open Mon-Thu from 20:00h until 22:30h● Mixing of households is now...
16 Reasons to cruise the Balearics this season
Being located in Palma de Mallorca, we’ll always be the first to promote the virtues of the Balearic Islands. But with many popular yacht destinations subject to restrictions and the Mediterranean season looming into view, let us make a case why the Balearics should...
Carry out rapid, reliable PCR testing on board!
The world’s first fully-automated PCR test analyser from Bosch is now available to order from ESTELA.Operating on the ‘Vivalytic’ platform from Bosch Healthcare Solutions, the device returns accurate PCR test results in just 39 minutes. Swabs are inserted...
ESTELA Captains’ Breakfast at the Palma Superyacht Show, June 3-6, 2021
On the occasion of the Palma Superyacht Show, ESTELA will be hosting two free, invitation-only breakfast seminars at a neighbouring venue. Aside from an agreeable way to start the day and meet up with friends and colleagues, we will host brief...
On-Board Health Control Certificate (SSC) now required for all yachts over 400GT
First announced last October, in the Balearics an On-Board Health Control Certificate (SSC) is now a requirement for all yachts over 400GT, private or commercial. Previously, the threshold stood at 500GT.Yachts below 400GT are exempt, though it may be advisable...
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....