Mirazur Capital from Monaco has taken control of Marina Port Vell in Barcelona, buying out Qinvest’s majority stake. The move aims to strengthen the marina’s position as a premium superyacht destination. The concession runs until 2048.
Barcelona’s Marina Port Vell, the city’s oldest port facility and a key site for superyachts, has changed hands as Monaco-based Mirazur Capital acquires a controlling 52% stake from Qatari fund Qinvest. The transaction marks a significant shift in the management of the marina, 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 reinforce the marina’s status in the premium yachting sector.
According to a statement from Marina Port Vell, the acquisition is part of a long-term strategy to expand and consolidate a network of high-end marinas, focusing on operational excellence and service quality. Mirazur Capital, which operates from Madrid and Luxembourg, now becomes the majority shareholder, while the remaining shares are held by Luxembourg-based MIS Nominees. Qinvest exits after recouping its investment, as first reported by Crónica Global.
This is the third time foreign capital has taken over the management of Marina Port Vell. The facility, located next to the Barceloneta district and historically linked to fishing, has undergone several transformations since the late 20th century. The 1992 Olympic Games prompted a shift toward recreational and sporting use, concentrating fishing activities at the Moll dels Pescadors. In 2010, a major redevelopment was approved by the port and the city council under Xavier Trias, converting the area into a luxury yacht harbor and excluding smaller vessels—a move that drew criticism from local residents and led to an anti-fraud investigation, which ultimately found no evidence of money laundering.
The British Salamanca Group initially received the concession, but 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 standards of quality and sustainability. The marina now offers 73 berths, can accommodate yachts up to 190 meters, and features a 400-meter main quay.
Mirazur Capital’s arrival is seen by the management as recognition of the work done in Barcelona and the potential for the marina to become an international benchmark. The ambition is to further establish Barcelona as a leading global yachting hub. The evolution of Marina Port Vell reflects broader trends in Spain’s port sector, where foreign investment and luxury tourism increasingly shape local infrastructure. This dynamic is reminiscent of other high-profile financial maneuvers in Spain’s business landscape, such as 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 transformation underscores the ongoing tension between urban integration, local interests, and the drive to attract international capital. The port’s location, adjacent to the city center and the historic Barceloneta neighborhood, makes it a focal point for both economic development and community debate. As the concession runs until 2048, the coming years will test how the marina balances its premium ambitions with the expectations of Barcelona’s residents and authorities.
