1.1 million in subsidies for shipowners and maritime heritage: what RD 848/2026 covers

Key data

Spanish shipowners who embark students on mandatory Merchant Marine internships now have direct economic compensation. The Royal Decree 848/2026, published on October 22, 2026, channels 1.1 million euros through three direct subsidies to address two simultaneous problems: the shortage of maritime professionals and the preservation of cultural maritime heritage.

The direct grant—without public call or competitive bidding—is justified by the lack of approved budgets in 2024 and 2025, sectoral urgency, and the unique nature of the designated beneficiaries.

What does this regulation establish?

The Royal Decree articulates three direct subsidies with different beneficiaries, amounts, and purposes:

The context justifying these aids is twofold. On one hand, the Spanish maritime sector faces a structural shortage of professionals, aggravated by the reduction of the Spanish fleet, making it difficult for students to complete the minimum embarkations required by the STCW Convention (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping). Without these embarkations, students cannot obtain their Merchant Marine qualifications.

On the other hand, the regulation incorporates two cross-cutting objectives: promoting female presence in the maritime sector and contributing to maritime transport decarbonization objectives for 2050.

Economic and operational impact

The bulk of the budget—90.9% of the total—is allocated to ANAVE, which acts as an intermediary entity between the Administration and shipowners who assume the cost of embarking students on internships. This compensation mechanism is key: without it, many shipowners have no economic incentive to assume the operational burden and responsibility of having students on board.

The operational impact for shipowners is direct: the subsidy reduces the net cost of accepting students on internships, which should expand the supply of internship berths available to nautical students.

For maritime heritage entities, the 50,000 € per beneficiary represents a one-time injection for restoration and historic shipbuilding projects that, by their nature, have no alternative commercial financing.

The direct grant—without competitive bidding—means that there is no application deadline or evaluation process: the funds are allocated to the designated beneficiaries from the entry into force of the decree.

Who does it affect?

• Spanish shipowners who embark or could embark students on Merchant Marine internships: they are the final recipients of the compensation channeled through ANAVE.
• ANAVE (Association of Spanish Shipowners): direct beneficiary and manager of the distribution of 1,000,000 € among its members.
• Nautical students who need to complete minimum embarkations required by the STCW Convention to obtain their Merchant Marine qualifications.
• Fundación Correíllo La Palma: direct beneficiary of 50,000 € for restoration of the historic ship of the same name.
• ALBAOLA: direct beneficiary of 50,000 € for the replica of the whaling ship San Juan and restoration of the tuna boat Ozentziyo.
• Maritime training sector: nautical schools and training centers whose students depend on the availability of internship berths.

Practical example

A Spanish shipping company associated with ANAVE that operates two coastal vessels decides to embark three nautical students during the mandatory internship period required by the STCW Convention. Until now, the additional cost of supervision, insurance, and logistics associated with students fell entirely on the shipowner, without public compensation.

With RD 848/2026, ANAVE receives 1,000,000 € to distribute among shipowners who assume these embarkations. The shipping company can request from ANAVE the corresponding compensation for the internship berths offered, thus reducing its net cost and increasing the incentive to continue offering berths in future years.

In parallel, ALBAOLA—with the 50,000 € received—can advance in the construction of the replica of the whaling ship San Juan, a Basque maritime cultural heritage project that without direct public financing would not have economic viability in the short term.

What should companies do now?

1. If you are a shipowner associated with ANAVE: contact ANAVE to learn about the distribution criteria for the 1,000,000 € and the requirements to access compensation for student embarkations.
2. If you are a shipowner not associated with ANAVE: evaluate whether membership in ANAVE would allow you to access these compensations in the current call or in future editions.
3. If you manage a nautical school or training center: inform your students that the supply of internship berths may increase as a result of this subsidy, and facilitate contact with shipowners associated with ANAVE.
4. If you represent Fundación Correíllo La Palma or ALBAOLA: verify the deadlines and conditions for justifying the subsidy received to ensure compliance with the direct grant requirements.
5. If you are a nautical student: consult with your training center the updated availability of internship berths, as this subsidy seeks to expand them directly.

Official source

Consult complete regulation at official source (BOE-A-2026-21947)

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-21947