Total remodelling of marina from traditional Mediterranean style.
A major €30m-plus investment is being undertaken at Gibraltar’s Marina Bay marina which will include new Marinetek pontoon berths and a new Marina Club. The project will result in an increased number of berths, 144 high-end rental apartments and other new infrastructure and facilities.
Work is already under way with Marina Bay marina director, William Bowman describing it to IBI as ‘the demolition phase’ with a lot of preparation work underway. “We have brought in our own construction equipment which is busy cutting up the concrete of the olds berths and getting ready for install the new floating pontoons,“ he commented.
The upgrade project, which is being funded through the new Marina Club rental apartments which will have roof top spas and green areas, should be totally completed by early 2021. Marinetek will install the new floating pontoons replacing the previous traditional Mediterranean style concrete berths for stern-too mooring.
The number of berths will be increased from 252 to nearly 300 including a good number for craft in the 15-18m (49-59ft) range as well as 12 superyacht berths for yachts up to 100m (328ft). The latter have been planned by Gosport-based Marina Projects and to go with them there will be new power and water connections; data links and pump out facilities. The new berth configuration should be completed later this year.
Apart from the style-refresh of marina, Bowman also told IBI that there will be a facility upgrade – its position as a marina where many people live on their boats to cope with the cost of living in Gibraltar, will change somewhat. The new mix will still include berths for local boatowners but also have an enhanced approach to visitor berths.
The new superyacht berths, apart from having better infrastructure, will also be served by new services such as concierge. Bowman emphasises: “We will continue to offer good value but have improved facilities and still the duty-free fuel. Our aim is to try and make yachts stay longer and use the easy access to Gibraltar and also the fact that it is a convenient location for visiting other places in the region.”
He points to this especially applying to superyacht crew who will have access to the Marina Club facilities for accommodation, sport facilities and F&B outlets. It is anticipated that a number of new jobs will be created.
By David Robinson IBI Plus
