Category Press

After a very challenging year we are very pleased to announce that Evolution Yacht Agents is now opening a new warehouse in Gibraltar, which is managed by our in-house Customs Department. 

With this new asset to our already existing services in the area we reinforce our position as leading yacht agency throughout Spanish territory thanks to our expertise and excellent operational know-how. 

The main objective of this added service will be to continue supporting our customers by offering fully comprehensive and professional services throughout the whole Iberian coast.

Its strategic location, on the threshold of the Atlantic Ocean and exit from the Mediterranean Sea, is without a doubt one of the reasons Gibraltar is a preferred yacht destination for both owners and crew, who often go there for clearance or after finishing their TPA process in Spain.

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This new Logistics & Customs service could not arrive at a better time, as yachts will be counting on the assistance of a reliable agent to guide them through all changes incurred as BREXIT comes into force and the direct implications for yachting operational activities and logistics in Gibraltar.

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Yachts heading to Gibraltar are able to benefit from its VAT free status, which translates into very competitive fueling operations, spares acquisitions, ship logistics, provisions and more.

Belén Martín, Founder and Executive Director at Evolution, states: “We are delighted to offer our existing client base and potential new clients supplementary support in Gibraltar. With so many of our clients passing through, we felt that it only made sense to extend our existing know-how to this area and find a way to offer our full range of yacht services from Concierge and Provisions to Customs and Logistics.” 

“Having our own warehouse there will allow us to strengthen the relationship with our customers and work even closer with them. Our team has a wealth of knowledge and experience that guarantees our customers peace of mind, especially as the entry into force of Brexit approaches” says Bea Alonso, Founder and Managing Director at Evolution Yacht Agents.

For further information and assistance in Gibraltar please contact  our Gibraltar Operations team.

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As we gradually get used to the cold of December and we approach the (long awaited) end of 2020, we cannot help but to start humming our favorite carols (campana sobre campana, y sobre campana una…) and embrace the arrival of one of the most expected holidays in the Spanish calendar: Christmas. 

Warm lights and all sorts of Christmas decorations take the spotlight in the city streets, as shops start to fill up with toys and gifts for those last-minute buyers rushing to look for the perfect Christmas present.

For Spaniards, the Christmas holidays are one of the most important celebrations of the year, since it is always a season of joy, family union and happiness. But if there’s something that makes Christmas so special, it is undoubtedly the traditions and customs that unite all Spaniards year after year.

Keep reading to discover the most interesting and typical Spanish traditions (Have grapes come to your mind yet?):

Lucky 12 grapes on New Year’s Eve

Indeed, One of the most deeply rooted Christmas traditions in Spain is to have one grape for each month of the year at 12 o’clock on New Year’s Eve, because it is said to bring good luck.

At the last minute of the year, 12 bells ring out to mark the beginning of the new year. After bells and grapes everyone toasts and kisses to congratulate and wish each other the best. Every year at the Puerta del Sol in Madrid there is a simulation on December 30th at 12 pm, known as the ‘pre-uvas’ (pre-grapes).

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Christmas Lottery Hunt

There is a municipality in Lleida called “Sort”, which in Spanish means “Luck”. This town sells the most sought-after Christmas lottery due to its name. Here the lottery is a real festival and its administration, “La Bruixa d’Or”, sells an incredible number of tickets every year.

December 22nd, the day of the National Christmas Draw, is one of the most eagerly awaited dates since the first edition was held in 1812. Ever since then, every Spaniard makes sure to get at least one ticket, and gift their loved ones with one as well. Many companies have also turned Christmas lottery into a tradition gifting their employees with a ticket every year, sharing therefore their good fortune wishes.

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Red underwear for the New Year

In addition to the lucky grapes, Spaniards also wear red underwear on New Year’s Eve as it is believed that this color will bring good luck to those who wear it on the last night of the year.

The most accepted explanation for this tradition dates back to the Middle Age. The color red was related to the devil and witchcraft; therefore, it was forbidden to wear it in public. At the time it was also believed that in winter, when everything is white and there is no color in the streets, wearing something red was a symbol of life and good luck, but since it was forbidden, people would wear red clothes in secret, and what better way than to wear them as underwear? In Spain this tradition has been kept to this day.

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Put a piece of jewelry in your cava glass

Another way to ensure good luck is to toast with either cava or champagne and add inside the glass some gold, for example a ring, at the time of the toast. You should not take the gold out of the glass until you’ve finished drinking and hugging those in the room at the moment of celebrating the arrival of the new year, otherwise the ritual is said not to be valid.

If it is the wedding ring you’re putting inside the glass, the duration and wellbeing of the marriage is said to be guaranteed for one year. This formula is also valid to ensure the love of a person, just by placing a ring inside his/her glass at the time of the toast and let the person in question drink.

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These are some of the main Spanish traditions during Christmas, but there are many more. Some are more deeply rooted than others, but all have something in common: enjoying family and friends, saying goodbye to the year that is ending and welcoming the one that is beginning, hoping for the best year possible.

Why not take advantage of the Christmas Spirit and consider implementing new habits in your routine as a way to give back to the ocean? After all, we must thank the sea for keeping us alive, safe, paid and fed, hence it seems only fair that it benefits from the season of goodwill as well.

Here are a few effortless lifestyle choices that can help protect and restore our oceans for future generations:

GO PLASTIC-FREE

Say no to single use plastics such as straws, plastic cutlery, coffee cups, water bottles, plastic bags, balloons, plastic-wrapped produce, and take-out food containers. These often end up in the marine environment and never go away!

Glass, silicone, or stainless-steel containers are a good alternative to plastic and much more sustainable, as these can be re-used many times.

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AVOID OCEAN-HARMING PRODUCTS

There are many products in the market directly linked to causing harm to endangered marine species, as well as supporting unsustainable fishing methods and pollution.

For instance, cosmetic products containing shark squalene, as well as jewelry made of coral should be avoided at all costs, as these imply a threat to important marine species and ecosystems.

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STOP CHEWING-GUM

Though this might seem odd, chewing gum is actually made of a synthetic rubber that’s plastic, and it’s classified as the world’s second most common form of litter after cigarette butts.

Conventional gum is not biodegradable; therefore, many fish end up consuming littered gum involuntarily, which accumulates toxins overtime. These are then reintroduced into the food chain when we eat the fish.

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MIND WHAT YOU PUT DOWN THE SINK

Selecting the right cleaning products can be a tricky matter, as companies are allowed to stick the words biodegradable, natural and green on pretty much anything.

Here’s a tip that can help: Look for Phosphates on the label.

One might think phosphates are good because they help support and grow algae, but too much of it causes algae to grow too fast and the ecosystem cannot handle it, causing marine life to go out of balance and leading to species decline.

Evolution can supply organic and environmentally cleaning products and we are also able to source more ocean-friendly products.

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EDUCATE YOURSELF

All life on Earth is connected to the ocean and its inhabitants. The more you learn about its issues, the more you’ll realize that it is time to make a change in your lifestyle in order to help preserve the ocean. Make sure you share that knowledge to educate and inspire others to pitch in.

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Saving the oceans might feel like an overwhelming task, but if we all pitch in, every little gesture can make a huge positive impact.

This luxury Barcelona superyacht marina and charter governing authority have announced the renewal of their collaboration ensuring that MYBA Charter Show will be held in OneOcean Port Vell, following the great success of the previous three years.

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Evolution would like to announce the new strategic partnership with the Italian company Acquera Yachting. Read More