Artists impression showing Superyacht berths adjacent to airport runway
Gibraltar a port known in the superyacht circles as cut price bunker stop just inside the Mediterranean has long campaigned to improve its image and attract more long stay superyachts.
It was back in December 2014, when the plans were submitted, and the project has generated a lot of interest and support, as well as strong objection.
Now after a third round of debating by Gibraltar’s Development & Planning Commission (DPC), outline planning permission was awarded today for the new superyacht berths and short-stay and rental apartments in Marina Bay at Ocean Village.
This green light brings Gibraltar a step closer to losing its reputation as ‘just’ a stop-off for cut-price fuel, and instead as a genuine prospect for long-term berthing in a tax-efficient VAT-free environment – with all the infrastructure expected from the demanding superyacht industry. Local jobs will be created and Gibraltar will be able to legitimately compete with other superyacht marinas – but with the natural competitive advantage of a strategic geographic location where Mediterranean meets Atlantic.
The plan outlines ten stern-to superyacht berths with secure access, a modern Pier Office to include executive crew lounges with sophisticated data networks, pump-out facilities, significantly improved electricity supplies, Spa-style facilities, as well as storage, workshop and laundry services. The promenade will be enhanced with landscaping, while CCTV will be in place to ensure peace of mind for the high-value superyachts’ owners, guests and crew.
102 waterside apartments complement the scheme and address a local need for short-stay and rental accommodation. Arranged across three-storey units, the apartments will enjoy rooftop leisure facilities from pools to play areas and will undoubtedly offer fines views of the airport runway which is one of the marinas less well publicised eyesores.
The port as it is today is now dominated by the floating hotel Sunborn Gibraltar
Director of Ocean Village, Neil Crawford, says, “Our Marina sees superyachts on a regular basis, but usually just for short periods of time or for fuel stops. Only recently a superyacht fuelled in Gibraltar but then continued up the coast to Puerto Banus, a marina with arguably outdated infrastructure, where the owners spent €300,000 in one shop. Main Street retailers and other Gibraltar businesses will relish being on the receiving end of this kind of investment from the superyacht industry.”
The developers now have to conduct further research and provide various traffic, environmental, and aeronautical reports, standard procedure at this stage of the planning process.