One of the pillars of the profound remodeling that is being carried out in the Port Olímpic, which concentrates an investment of more than 40 million euros, is the dedication of a large part of its space on land – the Mestral and Recer quays – to the blue economy, to the establishment of companies and entities in the maritime field, especially those that are committed to innovation and sustainability. BSM, the municipal company that manages this infrastructure, begins the process to award 50 premises, totaling more than 4,000 m2, for this activity, according to the bases for contracting by transfer of use that has just been published. The goal is for them to start up from autumn and be fully operational in the summer of 2024, coinciding with the celebration in Barcelona of the America's Cup for sailing, an event that is considered a revulsion for this sector.
The works are very advanced. At the Mestral wharf, where the nightlife venues that once caused serious security problems were located, 23 venues between 68 and 210 square meters are being built. Winners will pay between 20 and 25 euros per square meter per month. The investment in this area is 6.6 million euros, including a function room for 150 people and other common spaces. The forecast is that the works will finish in September. At the Recer dock, another 27 spaces of 30 and 60 square meters are being conditioned that were used to store material, such as offices and even illegal apartments. 6 million are invested here, an amount that includes 70 lockers for nautical material. This area is expected to be ready in January. The price will be 16 euros/m2.
BSM has not launched a tender for use in order not to limit the placement of these new spaces to a period of time. Instead, it has opened a public bidding process in which interested parties can submit offers for two months, so that a first award can be made at the end of June. But if there are empty premises, proposals can be received again and gradually filled. The municipal company is aware that it will take some time for the entire surface to be in operation since it is a new concept aimed at a largely emerging sector. For later phases, it is planned to adapt the Marina pier, in which there are already 15 premises dedicated to nautical activities and services.
"The Port Olímpic is preparing to be the first blue economy center in the city, a dynamic space that generates economic activity related to the sea and respectful of marine ecosystems", highlights the deputy mayor and president of BSM Laia Bonet, recalls the project is "aligned with the new economic agenda of Barcelona."
The bases establish that companies from four large segments may be established: nautical, training and recreational activities; nautical services; innovation and technology, and circular economy. The first two include everything from the sale of material, going out to sea, boat repairs... The last two are the ones that are most directly dedicated to the modernization of the sector. “We aspire to create an innovative community of companies and entrepreneurs capable of generating synergies among themselves and with the social, economic and scientific fabric of the city”, adds the director of Port Olímpic, Olga Cerezo. This infrastructure, he continues, "will be prepared to host industry events and meetings, because it will have an auditorium, and it will create a large open space in the open air where events, activities and programs that revitalize the ecosystem and have an impact on the environment will be encouraged." the citizenship".
