In the period of six years, the luxury superyacht marina, Porto Montenegro, has gone from a bold vision to a tangible reality. A fast growth was possible thanks to a large dedicated team of professionals of Adriatic Marinas Company, which now employs 226 full-time employees (117 from Tivat base of marina; 53 from other Montenegro parts) as well as approximately 1,000 new jobs, created within the 300+ businesses directly/indirectly involved in the development.
Porto Montenegro Superyacht Marina
Since 2006, a total of 250 million Euros has been invested in the Montenegrin economy as a result of this project (2 millions provided in donations-sponsorships-scolarships). With more than 850,000 visitors during the summer months (June to September) reporting a +50% in one year and +75% from 2006 to 2012), Porto Montenegro village is set to become the Mediterranean‘s most glittering playground attracting some of the international most high-profile buyers and yachtsmen.
Marina’s numbers are impressive. Porto Montenegro so far welcomed a total of 3,000 yachts – half of them only in the 2012. Yacht arrivals were respectively 900 in the 2011 and 775 in the 2010. Even during winter months, the marina’s occupancy level is 87% – ensuring a year-round community who enjoy the benefits of “outside-EU” regulations.
Along with the above mentioned facts&figures Porto Montenegro world-class yachting destination was awarded “5 gold anchors” by the prestigious British Harbor Association for the provision of high quality services.
Porto Montenegro achievements are just a segment of the commitments to improve the region and future projects in Montenegro. With the support of the Government of Montenegro and its citizens, Porto Montenegro is becoming a luxury marina with the most comprehensive offering on the Adriatic, and the Municipality of Tivat has one of the most stable budgets in Montenegro with low unemployment rate.
Other numbers at a glance
23 million euro is the purchase price paid for Arsenal, with the highest severance payments in the former Yugoslavia of 30,000 euro average; 4.7 million euro of direct taxes paid to the Government of Montenegro;46 retail units at Porto Montenegro village.
Montenegro – the fastest-growing yachting Mediterranean hotspot
Montenegro – according to a World Travel & Tourism Council and Oxford Economics report (2011), Montenegro is likely to be the fastest-growing travel and tourism economy in the world over the next decade.
Porto Montenegro is located on a former Austro-Hungarian naval base within the coastal town of Tivat in the sheltered Boka Bay, also known as The Bay of Kotor, Europe’s most southerly fjord and a UNESCO protected bay.
Porto Montenegro is within a three-hour flight of most European capitals and served by three international airports – the nearest, just 7 kilometres away. This ease of access extends waterside, with the marina just a day’s sail from some of the Mediterranean’s best cruising grounds, including the Croatian islands, making it the ideal starting point for yacht charters. Back at home port, skippers have the dual advantage of berthing close to shore or seeking anchorage in the privacy of the bay.
Boka Bay, also known as The Bay of Kotor, is one of the Mediterranean’s most distinctive and striking landscapes. Boka Bay, located on the south side of the Adriatic Sea, actually consists of 4 small bays, all surrounded by mountains of 1000-1700 m rising directly from the water. The area is known to have one of the most romantic landscapes to see in all of Montenegro. The Bay is composed of several smaller broad bays, united by narrower channels, forming one of the finest natural harbours in Europe.
Boka Bay has some of the most amazing natural landscapes in Europe, with its natural fiord – the only one in the Mediterranean famous for its beautiful beaches, resorts and historical sites. Originally settled by Illyrian tribes, the area became part of the Roman Empire in 168 BC. Since then, the French, Ottomans, Austro-Hungarians and Venetians have each left a distinctive cultural legacy. For many centuries, the ‘Boka’ Bay, as it is known locally, was a bustling harbour servicing Venetian merchant ships on their way east to the Orient. There’s written evidence of a port established here as far back as 1361, but it was towards the end of the 19th century that the Austro-Hungarian Admiral Maximilan Daublebsky von Sterneck set up a naval base in Tivat, launching a century of maritime activity in the process.
Marina Benefits, Facilities and Accessibility
The marina is situated within southern Europe’s deepest fjord of Boka Bay. Berths depths range from 4.5 to 16 meters and are afforded excellent protection by the bay’s mountainous surround and the inclusion of bespoke breakwaters. As a result, tide variation is low and currents are dissipated.
The marina offers mooring facilities to homeport vessels as well as those navigating Montenegro’s waters on a temporary vignette. On-site duty-free fuelling and 24-hour Yacht Assist and security is one of the most interesting and exclusive service that no other Mediterranean marinas can offer. Other onsite facilities include yacht brokers’ offices, Freedom Maritime chandlery with comprehensive logistics assistance for any chandlery, safety and engineering needs and Porto Montenegro Yacht Club that hosts a variety of social events, regattas, sailing competitions and sailing schools.
Porto Montenegro became an official port of entry, in summer 2010, allowing customers to do customs clearance in a hassle-free and speedy manner. Vessels must purchase a vignette (permit) to use Montenegro’s navigable waters. Vignettes allow unlimited access for periods from one week to one year. Unlimited vignettes may be issued in any single year, each allowing the captain to successively alter the passenger list to four times the total compliment that the yacht is allowed to carry.
In addition to all the facilities necessary for the yachts to be cleaned, fuelled, repaired and refurbished, Porto Montenegro offers owners, crew and guests an entire lifestyle: accommodation and provisions, shops and entertainment, culture and history, mountain amenities plus sizable tax benefits – right on the doorstep of one of the Mediterranean’s most beautiful aquatic playgrounds.
Waterfront is featuring promenade and residences, bars and restaurants, art gallery, day spa and beauty centre, fashion boutiques plus leisure facilities including extensive Sports Club, Yacht Club, Naval Heritage Collection and the Lido Mar – a 64 meters long pool & lounge bar designed by renowned British architect, Richard Hywel Evans. The vibrant village community being created in the heart of Tivat will encompass all the facilities necessary for 21st century life. Retail and commercial elements will combine with public facilities. The waterfront will feature wide promenades, a five star hotel, restaurants and cafes.
