Project ‘Valencia’: integrating the port with the city

An ambitious project to revitalise Marina de Valencia – now to be named Marina Port Valencia – on Spain’s Mediterranean coast was firmed up in October when Valencia Port Authority signed a contract to move renovation plans and operations forward.
Further to a call for bids in May, the port authority has now appointed a joint venture between Semar (Serveis Maritims Port Eivissa) and Ocibar, two groups that have specialised in benchmark projects in the Mediterranean, to develop and operate the projects for a minimum period of 35 years.
The plan features three individual marinas known as Marina Norte, Marina Sur and Marina City, which will revamp the entire site to give it a totally new ambience. Furthermore, due to Valencia’s ideal geographical location and its connections with the yachting sector, e.g. as host to the America’s Cup, the intention is to transform the area with top-class yachting and social attractions.
The planned renovation works will reshape Marina Port Valencia into four unique areas. The first will include the three marinas, equipped to host vessels of 8 to 130m (26 to 430ft), in the heart of the city. The second will involve the construction of a refit and repair yard with first-class specialist companies and the third a leisure, dining and entertainment area expertly integrated into the environment to make the marina a must-visit for local, national and international guests. The fourth area is planned as an architecturally stunning office and retail space with exceptional sea views, complemented with parking spaces, bike lanes, jogging tracks, terraces and landscaped gardens.

The operators
One key factor in the success of all the facilities managed by Semar and Ocibar is that both companies are renowned for their excellence and their culture of service, while also providing facilities with their own personality and full integration into their setting. When it comes to developing a new project, they both pay close attention to in-depth analysis and study of the local environment and socioeconomic status.
There are several entities involved in the concession. Semar is a joint venture between two companies well known in the yachting and tourism industries: the IPM Group and the Alonso Marí Group via Insotel Marine Group (IMG).
The IPM Group is an association of leading companies in the international yachting industry that started operating in the 1990s with the construction and management of Marina Port de Mallorca. It has since been involved in the creation and management of various marinas and yards such as Marina Ibiza, Marina Port Ibiza, Marina Palma Cuarentena, Marina Port Mahón, STP Shipyard Palma, Varadero Ibiza and Varadero Valencia.
IMG Group is part of the Alonso Marí Group, a business conglomerate that includes leading companies in tourism, yachting, construction, property development and services. It has over 50 years’ experience and employs over 2,000 people.
IPM and IMG joined forces over ten years ago to create Marina Ibiza and turn it into a five-star facility with an international reputation as a superyacht destination.
Ocibar has specialised in the construction and management of yacht facilities for over 25 years and its portfolio includes Port Adriano in Mallorca, designed by Philippe Starck; Porto Tarraco, a marina in Tarragona that specialises in superyacht wintering; laid-back Marina Santa Eulalia in Ibiza; and Marina Botafoc, which boasts more charter berths than anywhere else in Ibiza.
The company also specialises in revitalising marinas, providing retail space, outstanding design features, and events and concert venues.
The project is also being supported by numerous partners, including Erre Arquitectura and Ingeneria Civil de Levante, which have been involved in architecture and engineering on both land and sea; GEICorp technical, strategic and financial advisors; and Global Management Consultancy led by highly experienced project manager Jose Luis Fayos who provided consulting services on the Marina Port Valencia project.
Patrick Reynes, CEO of Marina Port Valencia and IPM-IMG Group, gave a preview of the plan at the Valencia Boat Show in mid-October where he stressed how the project will complement the spectacular development that Valencia is currently experiencing by thrusting the Valencian yachting industry into the limelight, and integrating the port with the city.