Spain & UK. Genus Marine & Leisure to commercialise Alcaidesa Marina berths

UK-based Genus Marine & Leisure has just been appointed to help commercialise berths at Spain´s newest marina, located in La Línea de la Concepción (Cadiz) neighbouring Gibraltar, which opens for business in March 2010.

The marina is the largest new waterside development in Andalucía and bolsters Genus Marine & Leisure’s 25-year reputation as Europe’s leading berth broker. “This is a great deal to land in the Med,” says John Brewster, Director of Genus Marine & Leisure. “A lack of development in the region’s existing marinas has led to a shortage of berths, but the offering at Alcaidesa Marina means that we are already over-subscribed with potential owners.”

So far, the Alcaidesa corporate group has primarily made its name in the real estate and the tourist sector, with the development of the Alcaidesa Residential Estate as a leading golf tourist resort, equipped with two golf courses (a Links and a Heath-Land course) and its new facilities, including both a driving range and a Clubhouse. Today Alcaidesa is building a new Marina. Works are being done and delivery date of berths will be in March 2010.

The new marina boasts the finest modern facilities in the Mediterranean combined with the convenience of the neighbouring tax-free port of Gibraltar, which will help to curb the cost of boat ownership in Spain. This ‘best of both worlds’ scenario is highlighted by the marina’s specifications; it has around 618 berths, the majority of which are floating pontoons, instead of the usual European ‘pantalan’ arrangements. This UK-style design gives separate fingers and services for each berth with very generous width allowances.

Berth sizes are also more incremental than alternative marinas in the region like Sotogrande, with 8, 10, 12, 15, 18, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50 metre berths available, reducing costs for boats in the popular 16-19 metre range. Uncommon for Spain, the marina also has 200 dry-stacking slots that will be ready in 2011.

With an existing Iberostar Hotel (with 265 rooms), a Congress Centre, and the construction of leisure and recreational spaces, the marina will provide a wide variety of restaurants and high-end retail outlets for all its clients and visitors. The marina’s drydock and dual lifting facilities make it the region’s only option for repairs, antifouling and anode replacement within a 20 nautical mile radius. In total, the marina covers 139,760m2 of water, 134,255m2 of landscaped grounds, 17,000m2 of refit and repair facilities, 8,000m2 of chandlery space and over 1,000 secure car-parking spaces.