Mapping out the Future of Port Vauban

As the summer high season starts in earnest, the port Vauban team promoting the upcoming comprehensive development project of Port Vauban will be showcasing the plans for Europe’s largest port by volume at a series of high-profile industry events across the Mediterranean.

The commercial team at port Vauban attended YARE in Viareggio from 18 to 20 April, meeting with attendees to explain the major upgrade plans and commercialisation that will be rolled out in the coming years, reaffirming Port Vauban’s place as the premier home port for superyachts in the Mediterranean. YARE’s programme includes opportunities for captains and industry professionals to meet face-to-face with the port Vauban team and learn about the major changes and upgrades that are already underway and due to be implemented in the coming years.

After Italy, the port Vauban team will make its way to Barcelona, firstly to sponsor the perennially popular Superyacht Chef’s Competition held during the MYBA Charter Show (24 to 27 April) and then to attend the inaugural edition of The Superyacht Show, taking place 2 to 5 May, founded by the Large Yacht Brokers’ Association (LYBRA).

“We are looking forward to meeting with the industry at these events to present the exciting new offering that Vauban can provide clients in Port Vauban. Our team has put together excellent and competitive packages for both current and potential berth owners, and the new developments that we are rolling out in the coming years will bolster our position as the best marina in the Mediterranean,” said port Vauban’s Business Relationship Manager, Petra Malloier.

As one of the largest and most strategically important luxury yacht marinas in the Mediterranean, Port Vauban has played a pivotal role in the development of the industry over the decades. Its location in Antibes, in the heart of the popular cruising waters of the French Riviera, makes it an excellent choice as a home port for yachts of any size.

Since Port Vauban’s acquisition by Riviera Ports in 2017, a large-scale modernisation and development plan has been created to add new facilities and amenities for the convenience of yacht owners and professional crew alike. As well as structural and infrastructure upgrades to the berths themselves, these will include a state-of-the-art yacht club, gourmet restaurants and wine bars, construction of new refit and maintenance facilities, a professional crew training building and an ever-evolving line-up of dedicated crew activities.

With development plans now solidified, the port Vauban team is actively starting commercialisation of the project, with the initial phase being to work with existing berth owners on maximising their benefits through 24-year-term guarantee of use agreements.

Current owners, who have four years remaining on existing concessions that are due to expire at the end of 2021, can take advantage of a unique promotion allowing for guaranteed use of their current berth position for 20 years after 2021, as well as special rates and payment of their future concessions in five-year instalments. Special rates are also open to existing owners looking to upgrade the capacity of their berth. The special offer is open to current berth owners until 30 June 2018, with the first step in taking advantage of the promotion being to register interest on the Port Vauban website.

Once the early bird deadline has passed, new clients will also be able to register interest in purchasing berths under four-, 14- or 24-year lease terms, with a similarly advantageous stage payment system.

“It is an exciting time for Port Vauban, and we have already had very positive feedback from captains based in the marina over the winter. We anticipate it being a busy few months before the early bird deadline comes to a close at the end of June,” added Malloier.

About Port Vauban - New Contracts and Port Layout 

The current consignment of contracts that Port Vauban Antibes has for yachts of all sizes is due to expire on 31 December 2021, and so the Vauban’s team is in the process of revising its layout and resigning contracts with existing clients, which will come into effect on 1 January 2022. The contracts will have a 24-year term maximum with guarantee of use.

Approximately 800 berths are currently for sale, including 300 for yachts from 20 to 170 meters. As one of the only ports in the region offering long-term leases of this nature, it provides owners with a unique opportunity to secure a premium berth and enjoy the best yachting location in the Med.

It is recommended that both existing and new clients contact the Port Vauban Sales team without delay.