International News: Mediterranean marinas network

MDL holds Mediterranean marina network ambition

By IBI Magazine/David Robinson. Europe’s largest marina operator, MDL Marinas, plans to establish a Mediterranean marinas network through acquisition, partnerships and other marketing arrangements. The UK-based company, which operates 18 marinas in the UK at such places as Poole, Plymouth and Southampton, has just agreed a new partnership deal with Marina dei Cesari in Fano, Italy. This, added to the Sant Carles marina which MDL operates in Spain, gives the group two marinas in the Mediterranean.

“There is no grand plan, strategy or acquisition fund in setting up the network,” Dean Smith, MDL’s media spokesman, tells IBI. “We have made contacts through our offices in Spain, France and Italy and elsewhere just to see what opportunities might be available.” He explains that the “ambition” for the network would allow MDL customers that perhaps start at a river marina or one of its UK south coast marinas the chance to visit the Med using MDL marinas.

“Berth holders and visitors to Marina dei Cesari will continue to benefit from the existing marina management. Under the partnership agreement, we will be assisting the marina team with guidance on long-term sustainability, such as marketing activity support as well as specialist staff training and marina specific systems. The new venture will also enable us to broaden the network of Mediterranean marinas under the MDL brand to further enhance the MDL experience to both existing and new customers,” says Mick Bettesworth, managing director, MDL Marinas International.

Marina dei Cesari dates from 2005 and offers 400 berths from 8m-40m (26ft-131ft). Smith added that MDL had received several approaches globally recognising the fact of being an established marina operator. MDL’s focus presently though is on the Mediterranean looking for marinas with at least 400 berths that may offer an opportunity to develop and be “a good and solid facility.”.