The historic Dársena del Comercio, the body of water between the España and Barceloneta docks, stopped being used as a mooring area for merchant ships in the late 80s. The new Barcelona born from the Olympics radically changed the area, which became a large marina. Its pontoons complemented the already existing ones of the Real Club Náutico and the Reial Club Marítim, while, in another area of the coast, another port for the city was also born: the Olympic one.
Time and acquired experience caused the objectives of this marina, concessioned by the Port of Barcelona, to change course and philosophy: as there was already a more than significant offer for medium and small recreational boats, Marina Port Vell ended up specializing in large lengths, a sector in which the shipyard Marina Barcelona 92 had already focused in the last years of the last century.
2010 was the year of the great change in the facilities: they were renovated with the aim of turning it into a luxury port for megayachts up to 190 meters in length. The exponential growth in the number of this type of boats (today there are more than 50 yachts over 100 meters, an unthinkable figure a few years ago) meant that the bet, located in the heart of the city, with all the attractions that this entails for visitors, owners and crew, worked well.
The fact is that not only is the facility an elegant place and the boats that moor there, whether for wintering, for long stays or in transit with their owners, are spectacular, but their presence is part of the so-called local blue economy. According to data from the Barcelona Nautical Cluster, currently, and only in the city of Barcelona, which has 16 kilometers of coastline, this economy generates direct employment for more than 15,000 people and invoices 3,750 million euros per year; that is, 4.3% of the city's GDP and 1.4% of employment.
In the specific case of Marina Port Vell, this part of the port generates a direct socioeconomic impact that, in 2019, amounted to 180 million euros contributed to Barcelona's GDP and created 3.1 jobs for every berth managed by the marina. The peak of the pandemic represented a hiatus in activity, although thanks to the potential of the superyacht industry, as Luis Conde reminded this Wednesday, clear signs of recovery are already being perceived. The president of the Nautical Show, who is also a sailing enthusiast, did not want to miss the presentation of the new investments.
The project details
The current managers of the facility, whose main owner is the Qatari fund Qinvest, recovered the classic name of Port Vell after a few years in which the marina was renamed One Ocean, and now, to demonstrate that the docks are managed differently, it has been decided to undertake an improvement plan in which 20 million euros will be invested and will have three pillars, as Ignacio Erroz, its general director, points out: landscaping, reorganization of berths and water surface, and implementation of a new fuel system.
Erroz, a lawyer by training with extensive experience in the nautical sector, both in management positions at shipyards and in port management, indicates that the actions will be completed in about 12-14 months. By then, a change in the facilities will be noticeable. What will be most clearly visible will be a landscaping project that will increase the green spaces of the infrastructure. The intention is for it to be a less harsh area and have a more welcoming and warm image. This novelty will affect 17,637 square meters and will be carried out in the Muelles de Bajo Muralla, Depósito, Barceloneta, España, and Reloj.
Another work that will change the image of the area will be the reorganization of berths. In this case, the affected area will be 8,531 square meters and will allow the marina's specialization in the superyacht sector to be further increased, as 23 new berths will be available for vessels up to 70 meters. This novelty will be visible from practically everywhere, as the location of the vessels will increase the visible space of the water surface for those who pass and walk through the area.
The third pillar in which part of the 20 million budget for these works will be invested will be the least visible, although it is also technically important: a new fuel supply system will be implemented that will reduce the risk of environmental contamination and improve safety in the infrastructure. It will be a new network of 510 meters of pipes, which will allow the supply to vessels at the mooring point through a pumping system. This project will be materialized in two classic docks: Barceloneta and Reloj, as well as in one of more recent construction: pontoon C.
The director of the facility said that previous projects are part of the marina's new positioning as an infrastructure specialized in superyachts. To this end, a new corporate image and an international plan have been created to boost the positioning of Marina Port Vell and the Barcelona brand as a quality destination for the large yacht sector.
Port and institutional support
Ignacio Erroz and Luis Conde were accompanied by Damià Calvet, president of the Port of Barcelona; Carlos Prieto, sub-delegate of the Government of Spain; Isidre Gavín, secretary of Territory and Mobility of the Generalitat, and Xavier Marcé, councilor for Tourism and Creative Industries of the Barcelona City Council. All agreed, without fissures, in highlighting the value of this facility, its importance as part of the local maritime hub and emphasizing that this area of the port, conceded until 2048, is a valuable asset that brings new opportunities and the desired profile of quality visitor that the city deserves.
An international plan is launched to boost the positioning of Marina Port Vell and the Barcelona brand as a quality destination for the large yacht sectorThe meeting in Port Vell was an alignment of criteria from different institutions and personalities that is appreciated in the current context. It seems that the sea and the views of the boats, in some cases authentic works of art, calm the spirits.