One of the Med’s largest homeport marinas, Port Vauban, is offering current slip holders guaranteed use of those same slips for an additional two decades. This comes as Port Vauban’s new owners plan modernizations and other improvements to the site in Antibes, France.
Riviera Ports, which manages a number of Mediterranean marinas, took over Port Vauban last year. Even though all current contracts don’t expire until December 31, 2021, the management team is reviewing future interest with yacht and megayacht owners now. It’s partly due to Port Vauban set to have a new layout. For example, structural upgrades will affect the berths. In addition, the site is gaining new refit and maintenance facilities, a crew-training center, a modern yacht club, as well as restaurants and wine bars. Also for crew, regular activities for fun and relaxation are in the works.
Therefore, owners who currently keep their yachts at Port Vauban are getting first dibs on new leases. Through June 30 of this year, they can lock in their current slip for 20 years effective come January 1, 2022. Furthermore, Riviera Ports is offering special rates for leases beyond this, in five-year installments. Alternately, should you want a larger slip than you currently hold, you, too, can take advantage of special rates. The management team has not publicly disclosed the rates. But, it does say interested parties should call or send an email via the Port Vauban website. For the latter, click the Buy a Berth tab under the Your Berth section on the website’s navigation bar.
After June 30, those interested in buying a berth for the first time can do so. Four- 14- and 24-lease contracts are available. About 300 slips for yachts to 558 feet (170 meters) are for sale.
The new slip plans are not without controversy. According to French media reports, about 400 people have signed an online petition regarding price increases. The petition states that slip rentals have risen 100 percent over the past decade. However, Franck Dosne, director of Riviera Ports, says the increases were needed to straighten out an “anarchic” tariff policy.
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