There are currently “no berths for superyachts in Portugal” despite significant demand
A project to expand Portimão Marina and create 30 new mooring berths for superyachts – large and luxurious pleasure crafts – was announced last week by Portugal’s Secretary of State for Tourism, Pedro Machado.
The project was presented to the press on Thursday, July 11 during an event attended by regional leaders, such as Algarve tourism boss André Gomes, Portimão mayor Álvaro Bila and president of the Algarve’s regional development commission (CCDR Algarve) José Apolinário.
Estimated to cost between €12 million and €14 million, the project – entitled ‘Projeto de Segurança, Inovação e Otimização da Marina de Portimão’ (Portimão Marina Safety, Innovation and Optimisation Project) – will also involve other works considered vital to the improvement of the marina.
For years, the marina’s existing breakwaters have proven ineffective during storms, being unable to prevent damage to marina infrastructures and moored boats. In recent years, however, the issue has worsened.
“The ineffectiveness of the existing breakwaters leads to a feeling of great insecurity and discomfort for people on board the vessels, whether they are residents or not,” says the project’s study, unveiled at last Thursday’s presentation.
The solution involves replacing the floating breakwater system with fixed pontoons at the marina’s entrance. As the project’s study shows, one breakwater will extend from the existing south jetty, while a new, extensive breakwater will be built on the north side.
The south breakwater will feature 12 berths for boats up to 20 metres, while the larger north breakwater will boast 18 berths for boats up to 45 metres. In other words, the marina will finally be able to welcome the dozens of so-called superyachts (or megayachts) that every year show an interest in stopping over in Portimão but end up “travelling to other marinas along the Mediterranean which have the capacity to welcome them,” the study says.
As it points out, there are currently “no berths for superyachts” in Portugal, despite significant demand.
“The creation of the Megayacht Project at Portimão Marina opens the door to the possibility of establishing a high-quality nautical destination, generating more direct and indirect jobs with the creation of new concierge services. Consequently, this adds more value to the local and regional economy, given that the potential clientele has significant purchasing power,” it adds.
Vilamoura Marina also announced at the start of the year plans to create 68 mooring berths for larger vessels between 20 and 40 metres.
The expansion of the Portimão Marina will take place within its original concession area, ensuring that there will be no interference with the Ferragudo Marina project or the project to expand Portimão port to welcome larger cruise ships.
Speaking to the Resident after the presentation last week, Algarve tourism chief André Gomes said that the overarching plan with the expansion of the marina and cruise port in Portimão and the long-awaited construction of the marina in Ferragudo is to ensure that these infrastructures “complement each other”.
While the Ferragudo marina project has been in limbo for years due to legal issues, it is a project that Gomes said is “very important for the region” and which tourism authorities will continue to “follow closely”.
Meanwhile, the tourism chief also revealed that he recently questioned the Ministry of Infrastructure about the state of the plans to expand Portimão port, having voiced his concerns over the lack of attention that the port has received from its administration headquartered outside of the Algarve region, in Sines. The ministry replied that it is working on creating a regional management board for the port, which André Gomes said is “something we clearly want, as it is an important entry point for tourists in the region”.
“We currently welcome around 60 to 70 cruise stopovers on average per year at Portimão’s cruise port,” Gomes said, stressing its significance to the region’s tourism sector.
Despite the latest announcements and developments, there is still no set deadline for the completion of any of the works.
By BEATRIZ MAIO & MICHAEL BRUXO
Photos: Beatriz Maio/Open Media Group
