Concession for operation of Gżira Gardens Yacht Marina to be awarded

Transport Malta issues call for tenders for economic operations to manage yacht marina under 25 year concession

The concession area will cover an area of around 50,000 square metre
The concession area will cover an area of around 50,000 square metre

The government has called for interested economic operators to submit their proposals for the management of the Gżira Gardens Yacht Marina.

Following the call for proposals issued this week, Transport Malta, the marina’s current owner, shall be awarding a 25 year concession to the selected third party economic operator to rehabilitate, operate, manage and maintain the Marina - an area of around 50,000 square metres. 

The deadline for the submission of a proposal, which has to be done through the online tender application system, is December 11.

The minimum concession fee payable by the operator will be of €175,000, and will rise by 10% every five years. A one-time upfront payment will also have to be paid.

It concession shall require the selected third party to operate and manage the marina, and to develop it in order to make sure it is sustainable in the long-term within the relevant yachting services market. This will be at the third party’s own risk, cost and expense.

Moreover, the operator will have to pay €55,000 annually in ground rent, together with €35,000 a year to the Gżira Local Council for the upkeep of the adjacent garden.

The selected operator will be required to take all security measures necessary to ensure the proper conduct of its business and ensure the security of the marina and its users. It has to also see to that the foreshore areas contiguous to the marina remain accessible to the general public, and has to allocate berths and moorings spaces to its users.

Within two years of the concession becoming effective, the chosen operator must rehabilitate the marina in accordance with the relevant rehabilitation requirements.

The government is legally bound to, through Transport Malta, promote Malta’s maritime facilities, as well as policies which help Malta develop as a maritime hub in the Mediterranean. It also has to make sure that the administration, services and operations of ports and yachting centres in Malta are more cost-effective and efficient.

The Gżira Gardens Yacht Marina, which was one of the first to be developed, having been built in the 1960s, has a history of privatisation efforts. In 2010, 50 yacht owners who berthed in the marina had formed an association, the Berth Holders Association, with the aim of tendering for an ‘imminent’ request for proposals for a new, privatised marina.

However, at the time, the efforts were held back by the building of the Manoel Island breakwater by Midi plc.