Apave Inspection Spain authorised to inspect vessels: what changes in 2026

Key data

Owners and shipowners of recreational vessels in Spain have had, since 26 February 2026, a new accredited body available to meet their periodic technical inspection obligations: Apave Inspection Spain SA. The Secretaría de Estado de Transportes y Movilidad Sostenible formalised this authorisation through a resolution published in the BOE on 25 March 2026 (BOE-A-2026-6939).

The addition of a new collaborative body to the nautical inspection market is not a minor change: it expands the options available to a sector that until now had a limited number of bodies authorised to certify the safety of recreational vessels.

What does this regulation establish?

The resolution formally enables Apave Inspection Spain SA to act as a collaborative inspection body for recreational vessels. This means the company can carry out the statutory technical inspections that maritime safety regulations require for this type of vessel.

Collaborative bodies do not act autonomously: they operate under the direct supervision of the Administration and must at all times comply with the technical and quality requirements established in the applicable maritime safety regulations. Their function is to carry out inspections on behalf of and under the control of the public nautical certification system.

Economic and operational impact

The entry of Apave Inspection Spain into the nautical inspection market has direct consequences for sector operators:

• Greater competition: By increasing the number of accredited bodies, vessel owners have more options for contracting the mandatory inspection, which may translate into greater competitive pressure on prices.
• More geographical options: A new entity with its own presence may cover areas or ports where the inspection offering was more limited, reducing travel and waiting times for shipowners.
• No change in obligations: The resolution does not modify the periodic inspection requirements or the statutory deadlines. What changes is who can carry them out, not when or how frequently.
• Impact on sport marinas: Sport marina operators may benefit from a broader offering to manage inspections of the vessels at their facilities.

Who is affected?

• Recreational vessel owners: They can choose Apave Inspection Spain as the body to carry out their mandatory statutory technical inspection.
• Shipowners in the sport nautical sector: They expand their range of accredited bodies for complying with maritime safety regulations.
• Sport marina operators: They can manage inspections of vessels at their facilities with an additional authorised body.
• Other collaborative nautical inspection bodies: They face a new competitor in the recreational vessel inspection market.
• The recreational nautical sector in general: Any company or professional linked to the buying, selling, maintenance or management of recreational vessels that must certify their technical condition.

Practical example

A shipowner with a recreational vessel due for its statutory technical inspection in 2026 previously had to turn to the already accredited collaborative bodies in their area. If none operated near their home port, they had to bear the cost and time of moving the vessel or wait for availability.

With the authorisation of Apave Inspection Spain SA, that same shipowner can now request a quote from this new body and compare terms — price, availability, geographical coverage — with those already in place. If Apave operates in their area or at a nearby port, they may obtain the inspection under better logistical or economic conditions, while equally fulfilling the statutory maritime safety obligation.

For the manager of a sport marina with several vessels under their responsibility, the possibility of negotiating with a new accredited operator may result in improved contracting conditions for the periodic inspections of the entire fleet.

What should companies do now?

1. Verify current inspection obligations: Confirm the dates of the next statutory technical inspection for each vessel in order to plan ahead.
2. Request information from Apave Inspection Spain: Contact the body to find out its geographical coverage, availability and fees, and compare with the collaborative bodies already used.
3. Assess whether switching body offers advantages: Analyse whether Apave offers better coverage at the home port or more competitive conditions for the managed fleet.
4. Update supplier records: If the decision is made to work with Apave Inspection Spain, add it as an approved supplier in the internal vessel management processes.
5. Do not modify inspection deadlines: The resolution does not alter the periodic inspection obligations. Complying with statutory deadlines remains mandatory regardless of the body chosen.

Official source

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, please consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-6939