Work has officially begun on a €12.5 million expansion project at Portugal’s Lagos Marina that will add 102 new berths for boats between 10 and 30 metres on top of the marina’s current 474 berths.
The first phase is expected to be completed by September 2026 with the new berths increasing capacity in the outer harbour. The works will enable the marina to accommodate yachts up to 40 meters in length.
Work on the surrounding land and facilities is expected to be completed in 2027.
The extension will take over former land and water based fishing areas and as a compensation, the marina management company Marlagos is investing €3 million to provide 55 berths for professional fishing vessels.
Spaces for local boats
In addition, 30 fishing warehouses will be built, 170 affordable spaces for local recreational boats with floating pontoons provided, and also 41 berths for the Lagos Sailing Club, which will also gain new facilities.
The new building will have eight shops on the ground floor, complemented by outdoor seating areas. Facilities on the first floor will include a swimming pool.
The works will also create 135 parking spaces and eight commercial spaces and is expected to help regenerate a neglected part of the town.
21% increase in economic impact
“I think the most relevant aspect of the transformation we are going to make is the fact that the project includes substantial investment in the creation of infrastructure that will greatly improve the conditions of the various entities and associations that have been waiting for this progress for many years,” explained Martinho Fortunato, CEO of Marlagos, owner of Lagos Marina.
“We will add capacity and quality to our infrastructure and services, associated with a segment [superyachts] that we know positions us at a level of demand with a high capacity for spending, investment, and visits to the region.”
It is anticipated that the works will increase the marina’s economic impact by around 21%.
The marina currently has an annual turnover of between €17 million and €30 million and hosts 106 companies that together provide 1,350 jobs.
