Plans for the future Marina Jandía marina were unveiled on Friday 9th November, with works set to begin that very month. The project has an overall completion period of two years, and is designed to become a benchmark in sustainability, with the capacity to be energy self-sufficient. As was revealed at the presentation, the first berths will be available in January 2024, upon completion of the maritime part of the project.
Marina Jandía will be located southern basin of the Morro Jable port, featuring 310 berths for vessels ranging from 6m to 50m LOA and with draughts of up to 4.5m, including the necessary services for superyachts. The original budget for the marina is estimated at 8.5 million euros, although it is expected to increase due to the economic situation and the rise in prices.
The strategic importance of the marina was made clear at the presentation ceremony, with the attendance the President of the Canary Islands Government, Ángel Víctor Torres, together with key island and regional officials and local business leaders.
Managing Director for Calero Marinas, José Juan Calero, underlined how Marina Jandía “represents opening an outstanding nautical tourism destination in the Canary Islands”, stressing that “Fuerteventura is a real diamond” for this segment, “with an impressive potential”. He also emphasised how Marina Jandía will strengthen the network of marinas within the archipelago, linking Gran Canaria and Lanzarote: “This will allow a huge increase in the flow of nautical tourists sailing between the islands.”
Together with the berthing facilities, Marina Jandía will include almost 8,500 square metres of open-access waterside real estate, with promenades and terraces, five restaurants and two open-air snack bars, as well as a beach club, all of which collectively aim to “add value to Fuerteventura’s tourism infrastructure”, explained Calero.
José Calero, father of José Juan and president of Calero Marinas, recalled the beginnings of the company 40 years ago; revealing his pride in the accomplishments of second generation of the family business. Local dignitaries then lined up to commend the project, identifying its expected positive economic impact and boon for the island of Fuerteventura.
Sustainability
José Juan Calero explained that “Marina Jandía will be the flagship sustainability project of Calero Marinas.” He recalled how Puerto Calero had flown the Blue Flag for nearly 30 years, and that in recent decades the company has developed its projects “based exclusively on existing infrastructures which had fallen into disuse”, such as Marina La Palma, which opened in 2010; Marina Lanzarote, opened in 2014; and of course, Marina Jandía”.
Marina Jandía project is designed to be “100% autonomous in terms of energy, and completely supplied by renewable energies”. It will be connected to the electricity grid in the event of potential peaks in demand and to guarantee supply under any given circumstance, but day-to-day operation will use renewable energy sources.
In addition to a photovoltaic installation, an energy storage facility will be used so that surplus energy produced during the day can be consumed at night, minimising the marina’s carbon footprint. “Each detail of Marina Jandía is being designed with sustainability in mind.” explained José Juan Calero.
Design and services
Marina Jandía design principles embrace the concept of “working with nature”, minimising the use of extracted natural resources and reducing waste generation. An example of this is the reuse of materials from existing infrastructure, both recovering and repurposing all of the breakwater and dock materials, including that from dredging operations, where sedimentary material will also go towards regenerating the surrounding beaches.
Incorporating elements of traditional Canarian architecture and reflecting the colours and textures of the surrounding area, Marina Jandía will also have a Beach Club, a diving school, a yacht charter agency, shopping boutiques, as well as a chandlery and mini market.
Boaters will have access to water, electricity, and internet at the berth, in addition to pump out services for black and grey water. All services will be managed by means of an innovative management platform, operated using a mobile phone or access card, facilitating resource efficiency.