QUAY TO THE FUTURE
Ignacio Erroz discusses the future plans for Marina Port Vell and how sustainability is a top priority together with delivering excellence within the superyacht facility in Barcelona
Marina Port Vell is a world class marina for superyachts perfectly located in the heart of Barcelona. Originally built during the 1992 Olympic Games, it has now assumed a strategic role for the city and provides a major boost to the Catalan coast as one of the first marinas in Spain to specialise in the superyacht segment
As the perfect homeport and summer destination, Marina Port Vell is a premium superyacht facility offering over 150 berths and one of the world’s longest quays (400m), an ideal destination for the mooring of superyachts of up to 190 metres long.
Last year Marina Port Vell Barcelona presented a new €20 million investment plan involving the remodelling of the marina to enhance its capacity and strengthen its specialised ad-hoc services for superyachts. By doing so, the marina pledges its commitment to positioning Barcelona as a leading destination for superyachts in the Mediterranean, strengthening the city’s position in the segment and to strengthen the marina’s positioning in the global market.
The announcement was supported by the city’s institutions, the regional government and the Government of Spain, as well as the Port of Barcelona itself and its president, Damià Calvet, who praised the investment plan. Ignacio Erroz, CEO of Marina Port Vell Barcelona has affirmed that the new positioning and the associated investment project intend, on the one hand, “to further strengthen Barcelona’s status as a leading destination for superyachts” and, on the other, “to commit to greater specialisation in offering quality services to our clients, based on four strategic areas: sustainability, growth, innovation and competitiveness”. The aforementioned strategic aims are shared with the Port of Barcelona and are the basis of Europe’s Blue Economy and the city of Barcelona, a perfect candidate to be a leader for this type of economic model in the Mediterranean.
Marina Port Vell will also carry out remodelling work in its facilities consisting of three large scale projects: reconfiguration of the marina basin, a landscaping project, and the installation of a new bunkering system. Firstly, as part of the marina’s desire to specialise, to an even greater extent, in providing superyachts with quality services, the marina basin will be rearranged, replacing berths for small vessels with more space for superyachts. The work that will be undertaken on the marina basin, across a surface area of 8,531 square metres, will allow the marina to further its specialisation in large vessels with 23 new berths for vessels with a length of up to 70 metres, and it’s expected to be completed in Autumn 2023.
Thanks to this new configuration, the marina will boast 55 berths for superyachts, a figure that will increase up to 65 in periods of high occupancy. The estimated time frame for the work is 12 months and will consist, primarily, of the removal of Pontoons A and B and the Sota Muralla pontoon, which are floating concrete structures, in order to redistribute mooring lines.
What’s more, as part of the project, the positioning of moored vessels will be reconfigured in order to increase the visible space of the marina basin and enhance the view of the marina and clients’ privacy. The plan of action also includes a landscaping project to create more green space, making the facilities more attractive and inviting, so that clients feel as if they are in a floating city that is an extension of Barcelona itself. This project, which will affect a total of 17,637 square metres, will be implemented at the Sota Muralla, Dipòsit, Barceloneta, España and Rellotge quays.
As part of the project, moveable planters and decorative lighting will be installed at all the quays and along the facilities’ perimeter. The project also allows for the renovation and enlargement of existing paving and the reconfiguration of vehicle lanes, areas for pedestrians, and parking spaces. What’s more, in line with the goal of becoming a sustainable marina and providing clients with high-quality services, new rapid charging points for electric vehicles will be installed as part of the innovative landscaping project. Furthermore, a new bunkering system for clients will be installed at berths to enhance client services and improve the safety of the infrastructure. The fuel delivery network, consisting of a pump system and 510 metres of piping, will be implemented at the Barceloneta and Rellotge quays and on Pontoon C. Four diesel oil tanks with a capacity of 160,000 litres will be reconditioned and ten refuelling points, connected to the diesel oil thrust pipe, will be installed.
Finally, as part of its commitment to sustainability, the marina has implemented a Sustainability Plan, guaranteeing that in the future, Marina Port Vell will continue to be sustainable, safe and innovative with quality services, in line with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, which are also referred to in the Strategic Plan of the Port of Barcelona, and the goals of the city of Barcelona itself.
“It has never been more important to ensure sustainable best practices are undertaken wherever possible but it is also now essential to invest in crucial ESG actions that pave the way for the most sustainable future innovations for Marina Port Vell. This benefits not only our teams, the marine surroundings of Marina Port Vell but also our responsibility to Barcelona, the Mediterranean and the whole community.”
IGNACIO ERROZ
Managing Director, Marina Port Vell
Following a thorough due diligence process Marina Port Vell is delighted to start implementation of their ESG plan, (The Marina Port Vell ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) Master Plan) and provide a footprint for marinas’ need to commit to these sustainable practices.
Marina Port Vell (MPV) wants to continue advancing in a responsible business management model that guarantees its social license to operate and to work constantly towards long-term value creation.
Marina Port Vell recognises three areas of significance to provide a commitment to.
The Mediterranean – where we focus on minimising impact and promote conservation and awareness actions across the whole region. Undertake best practices and certifications, encourage, and raise awareness for others, improve water quality and believe in preservation of all the life that inhabits it.
Barcelona – Marina Port Vell is committed to bringing sustainable and quality tourism to the city and will remain heavily invested in socio-economic development and partnerships with the local community while seeking out continuous solutions for sustainable mobility and sustainable stays.
Our People – Marina Port Vell will start from within and promote a company wide sustainability approach and incorporate it into all aspects of their business, a solid compliance model will ensure their ethics and integrity with all stakeholders and the wider community, with investment in people to provide a quality, safe working environments that promotes diversity and inclusion throughout. A culture of Corporate Social responsibility will be embedded at levels of the business with a focus on long term sustainable goals.
The new Marina Port Vell Barcelona: more Mediterranean and more exclusive
The cornerstones of the new Marina Port Vell brand, which represent the beginning of new found specialisation in providing even more focused services for the superyacht segment, is based on attention to detail, innovation and a commitment to sustainability.
