The Grand Port Maritime de Marseille hopes to be in a position to choose the preferred bidders for two areas of the port set aside for superyacht activities by the end of October
By the end of October, the Grand Port Maritime de Marseille (GPMM) hopes to be in a position to choose the preferred bidders for two areas of the port set aside for superyacht activities. The two areas, subject to a running competitive bidding process, are to find a future occupant of Hangar J1 and an operator for superyacht berths anticipated to use the quays around the hangar.
GPMM says in a press statement: “These sites are exceptionally well-located within Marseille. They lie in the new Joilette commercial district, close to Les Terrasses du Port, the future high-end shopping centre set to open in 2014. The city’s new museums, Mucem and Villa Mediterranee, are just 500m away.” The two sites are also close to Marseille Fos port’s logistics and industrial facilities, especially those related to yacht repair services.
The statement added: “The ‘ships over 60m in length’ niche has also been chosen for its complementarity with the La Ciotat site. Marseille aims to position itself alongside Barcelona and Genoa in this segment, which will bring large units in for technical services.”
GPMM launched the bid process for the two sites in August and its objective is for the successful projects for both areas to be chosen during the second quarter of 2014. Only the preferred bidders will be able to access the specifications for the areas and submit a proposal after the end of October deadline.
The first of the bids relates to the development and operation of berths for yachts over 60m (197ft) and, if appropriate, the setting up of additional activities to attract large yachts to the facility. The size of the area covered by the bid, GPMM says, “constitutes a rare opportunity in the French Mediterranean: 40,000m2 of water, 750m (2,460ft) of quays, 10,000m2 of dockyard and 2,000m2 on the ground floor of Hangar J1. When complete, the facility could accommodate 25 superyachts.
The second bid process will select the future occupants of Hangar J1. Surface areas available are between 2,000m2 minimum and 21,000m2 maximum. Additionally 10,000m2 of dockyard are adjacent to the hangar. GPMM says the aim is for the activities selected (tertiary, events organisation, research, innovation, training etc) to make a financial contribution to the port’s development. Priority here will be given to activities relating to the port and the sea, and in particular services for yachts, and to projects that involve opening a part of the hangar to the public. (https://plus.ibinews.com, 7 October 2013)
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