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Boasting 620 berths and with capacity for vessels from 8 to 90 metres in length, the Alcaidesa Marina has always been the great untapped resource of La Linea. Its location in the Bay on the southern end of the Costa del Sol, and within walking distance of Gibraltar airport and 15 miles from Morocco across the Straits, has always assured it of a bright future.
The marina and boat yard under the captaincy of Antonio Valbuena have achieved international recognition. Earlier this year, the Marina was awarded the much sought-after Blue Flag for quality, safety, environmental education, and information for the 9th year running. It also has the prestigious international Yacht Harbour Association Gold Anchor designation.
The announcement this week of the involvement of new shareholders in the form of the Palmones based Arkimedes Group suggests that the Marina is about to be taken to another level of activity which can only bode well for the employment and economic prospects of La Linea de la Concepcion.
Among the promoters of the Arkimedes Group are Alfonso Herrera from La Linea and John Bassadone of Gibraltar. Mr. Bassadone’s family company Gibunco, which was formed in 1971, is a market leader in marine services and operates from a single operating centre in no less than 280 locations worldwide in all the major shipping routes.
Over the last 15 years or so Gibraltar’s own offering in terms of availability of marina berths has been affected by the development of Marina Bay / Ocean Village such as the Sunborn Yacht hotel which now occupies a large area previously dedicated to berthing.
The Sheppard Capurro boatyard made way for the Ocean Village complex. Although the quality of the Gibraltarian marinas including the sophisticated Queensway Quay Marina is good and the Marina Club currently under construction will cater for super yachts, lack of room in Gibraltar means that the spacious marina in La Linea will be a draw for yachting people using the maritime crossroads that is the Straits of Gibraltar.
At the higher end of the yachting industry Gibdock in Gibraltar’s large and state of the art facilities (including three dry docks) offers “a full range of expertise to fully service super yachts, including: topsides and underwater coating; shaft, rudder and propeller works; propulsion systems maintenance works; and main engine overhaul to name a few (and) have an extensive network of specialised sub-contractors available to undertake interior refurbishment, electrical, and communications systems work”.
Full steam ahead for the yachting industry on the northern shores of the Straits of Gibraltar!
