Santiago Donat is the General Manager of Marina Port Valencia, the former Valencia Marina that changed concessions on October 1st.
After only 6 months of management, it seems that the progress has been considerable, and we want to recap all the measures taken since the day of taking said management.
Since the arrival of the new concession, the Marina Port Valencia team has taken on the challenge of transforming the marina into a benchmark space for the city, for its citizens, and also the international nautical sector. In the midst of an intense process of renovation and improvement, Santiago Donat, General Manager, reveals where this ambitious project stands.
How was the concession received, and what did you find upon arrival?
When we took over the management, we knew that we had a lot of work ahead of us since the marina was in poor condition. Our goal from the first minute was to turn the marina into a space that Valencians could be proud of, and from the first moment, we made it a priority to reinforce both security and the seamanship team, which we found precarious, key to offering a professional and safe service.
After 6 months of managing the marina, what are all the improvements that you have implemented to date in the facilities?
We have made numerous improvements, from the renovation of the access control system or the improvement of the garbage and waste collection service, including hazardous waste, to the incorporation of new signage, reinforcement of cleaning, and also reinforcement of facility maintenance.
In addition, the services have been reinforced by hiring more personnel for the seamanship and customer service team, also buying new dinghies that will help the client to moor, thus improving the experience of the users who are currently moored in the facilities.
We have also incorporated a reception in each of the areas where the boats moor (south marina, north marina, and marina city) so that the client does not have to go to the North Marina office if they are in Marina South or Marina City, so that the experience of customers coming by sea is more comfortable.
And we have also bought new vehicles so that staff can move comfortably from one place to another. The marina is very large, and we also seek the comfort of the employees.
And what are the plans for the immediate future?
We are going to start with the renovation of one of the most emblematic restaurants in Marina Norte, and we are working on the transformation of La Marineta and the area formerly known as the “T”, which we now call Marina City because it is the marina closest to the city center, with exclusive services for our captains.
We are also working on the redistribution of moorings to optimize the space, and in September, we will begin the construction of the two buildings that will house offices, commercial premises, and restaurants.
Regarding the staff, has the team been modified in any way, has it been reinforced, or are you working with the same previous team?
We are very happy to have most of the team that was already there, we have found great professionals, and we have trained them in our way of working and our procedures.
In addition, we have expanded offices and staff in the three areas that make up Marina Port Valencia: Marina Norte, Marina Sur, and Marina City, and we have reinforced essential departments for the operation of the facilities such as administration, commercial, risk prevention, and marketing.
We ensure that the entire team receives continuous training in prevention, first aid, and safety. Each one has the appropriate equipment and training adapted to carry out their work in the best conditions.
Regarding clients, it has been published that there have been changes in rates. Is it true? What are these changes due to?
Yes, there has been an update of rates, which basically consisted of eliminating the discounts that were previously being applied.
This measure is due at this time to the fact that, when moving from a public to a private concession, both the investment in the project and the payment of the annual fee to the Port Authority have changed considerably, and we must face these aspects with the income we generate from now on.
The integral transformation of the marina will be visible and can be enjoyed both by users who come by sea and by citizens. We are currently offering a considerable improvement in services that we hope will increase as time goes by since we will work to ensure that very soon, the facilities become a destination of reference.
Tell us briefly what the project will be like once it is finished
It will be an innovative project that will connect the Valencian Community with the sea. It will place Valencia on the international nautical map as a destination of reference and will offer not only spaces for boats but also leading offices, coworking areas, centers for marine research, and a varied offer of restaurants and leisure.
What are your objectives with this project?
We want to attract citizens to our spaces and for the facilities to become a place for walking and enjoyment for Valencians. We would like to become a desirable space to work, to enjoy free time and restaurants, or simply to stroll. For this, we are planning the construction of sustainable, cutting-edge, and modern offices, promenades with extraordinary landscaping, and a perfect mix of restaurants so that there is an ideal place for all tastes.
We also want to improve services in the water, such as mooring or repair and maintenance of boats, to position Valencia as an international benchmark destination and be the venue for major nautical competitions. In short, offer a unique service and destination.
Anything else you want to tell us?
We have only been operating for 6 months, but from the first day, we have been dedicated with enthusiasm and commitment, and we will continue to do so.
The entire team works with dedication to show the world what Marina Port Valencia will be and what it will mean for the city. This has only just begun.
