Monaco-based Mirazur Capital has acquired a controlling 52% stake in Barcelona’s Marina Port Vell from Qatari fund Qinvest. The transaction shifts control of the city’s oldest port facility and a basic superyacht site, which holds a concession from the Barcelona Port Authority valid until 2048. The current management team, led by Ignacio Erroz, will remain in place as Mirazur Capital seeks to strengthen the marina’s position in the premium yachting sector.
Marina Port Vell said the acquisition forms part of a long-term strategy to expand and consolidate a network of high-end marinas, with a focus on operational excellence and service quality. Mirazur Capital, which operates from Madrid and Luxembourg, becomes the majority shareholder, while the remaining shares are held by Luxembourg-based MIS Nominees. Qinvest exits after recouping its investment, as Crónica Global first reported.
This is the third time foreign capital has taken over the management of Marina Port Vell. Located next to the Barceloneta district and historically linked to fishing, the facility has undergone several transformations since the late 20th century. The 1992 Olympic Games prompted a shift toward recreational and sporting use, with fishing activities concentrated at the Moll dels Pescadors. In 2010, the port and city council, under Xavier Trias, approved a major redevelopment that turned the area into a luxury yacht harbor and excluded smaller vessels. The move drew criticism from local residents and prompted an anti-fraud investigation, which ultimately found no evidence of money laundering.
The British Salamanca Group initially received the concession. In 2017, Qinvest entered the picture by acquiring Salamanca’s debt. The concession was extended in 2021 to 2048, with new berths added for superyachts. Since then, Marina Port Vell has invested €20 million to increase capacity for large vessels and raise quality and sustainability standards. The marina now offers 73 berths and can accommodate yachts up to 190 meters. Its basic quay is 400 meters long.
The marina’s commercial role extends beyond berthing and servicing yachts. Marina Seca, its dry dock designed for boat storage, also serves as an indoor events venue. In October 2026 it hosted programming for the 38th edition of 080 Barcelona Fashion. Organizers selected the space for 26 fashion shows, information from Crónica Global. The venue’s dual use connects the complex’s maritime operations with Barcelona’s events economy.
Marina Port Vell’s commercial director, Ana Vilches, has also presented an overview of the large-yacht industry, covering the needs of vessels and their crews, along with related training and services. At an industry event focused on the opportunities luxury cruises and large yachts can bring to companies on the Costa Brava, her presentation placed the marina within a broader environment of high-end maritime services, as reported by Cruises News Media Group.
Marina Port Vell’s management sees Mirazur Capital’s arrival as recognition of the work done in Barcelona and of the marina’s potential to become an international benchmark. The ambition is to establish Barcelona further as a leading global yachting hub. The marina’s evolution reflects broader trends in Spain’s port sector, where foreign investment and luxury tourism increasingly shape local infrastructure. Similar high-profile financial maneuvers in Spain’s business field include the government’s intervention in the Plus Ultra airline, which drew attention for its political and economic implications, as detailed in a previous report on state-backed bailouts.
Marina Port Vell’s change reflects ongoing tensions over urban integration and local interests, as the city seeks to attract international capital. Its location next to the city center and historic Barceloneta neighborhood makes it a focal point for economic development and community debate. With the concession running until 2048, the marina will need to balance its premium ambitions with the expectations of Barcelona’s residents and authorities.
