The Isle of Man Government is seeking expressions of interest regarding the development of a new marina in the Isle of Man.
The Government wants to hear from private enterprise with ideas for a major new facility that would help to meet growing demand from boat owners and provide a significant boost to the local economy.
Organisations and individuals are invited to register their interest via the Government’s procurement portal by Wednesday 28 August. Applicants will then be contacted for further discussion about their proposals.
The Government is keen to explore the options for a new marina as part of its long-term vision to enhance the infrastructure, facilities and overall user experience in the Island in line with the Harbours Strategy.
A particular focus is on the development and operation of a 24-hour, 250+ berth facility to complement the existing tidal marinas at Peel and Douglas.
The Isle of Man has a high ratio of boat ownership compared with the UK and the current waiting list for berths indicates a strong demand for additional facilities.
Tim Baker MHK, Member of the Department of Infrastructure with responsibility for Ports, said:
‘Our harbours are among our biggest natural assets and the Department is looking to test the market to see if there is any interest in investing in a new marina. The facilities at Douglas and Peel make an important contribution to our economy and visitor experience and we believe there is great scope for growth in this market.’
He added:
‘We are already aware of the proposals for the development of a marina in Ramsey and also for a privately-funded venture in Douglas Bay. We want to explore all our options and ensure that any potential investors or developers have an opportunity to come forward and register their interest. It is also vital for good governance that we go through a formal process, as any proposals will require use of publicly owned assets.’
