Cagliari will become an important center for maxi yachts. This is supported by Matteo Molinas, vice president of the Network of Sardinian ports, a young exponent of the homonymous group that manages the tourist ports of Porto Rotondo, Marana, Cala Bitta and Portus Karalis. The spotlights on boating were recently turned on by the regional council which launched the proposal for a super-luxury Mediterranean hub that goes beyond mooring by integrating shipbuilding, ports and airports. «A new deal is needed for marinas», says Molinas, «the concessions have been assimilated to those of seaside resorts but they are different categories. Concessionaires, having to invest, cannot live with uncertainty».
His group wants to build a base for mega yachts in Cagliari with an investment of 34 million euros. When will the works in the port of via Roma begin?
«Cagliari is the most attractive city for that type of tourism because it has all the services and has a functioning airport. Not to mention the effect of Luna Rossa whose base is the flywheel for the whole city. This is why we focus on maxi yachts: the works will start soon. The time to have all the documentation in order and then we will proceed ».
How long will it take to complete the work?
“Twenty-four to thirty months. We had planned to open the construction site after the America's Cup stage but now that the race has been cancelled, we intend to start immediately».
Does the project also include a hotel where today is the maritime station?
«The problem is always bureaucracy, so for some time we have been oriented towards reconverting the existing structures. It also happened with an old storage shed for small boats that we had in Porto Rotondo: we moved it to Olbia and are converting it into a four-star accommodation facility. We will also do the same in the part of the commercial pier of Cagliari».
But to make Cagliari a primary hub for super yachts, we need to focus on shipbuilding.
«In fact, the Port Authority intervened on Giorgino where a nautical pole is being created with about twenty lots, from 2,500 square meters up to fifty thousand square meters, to be allocated to shipbuilding. Deliveries are imminent."
