14 bidders for Gżira Gardens marina

Fourteen entities submitted bids for the Gżira Garden marina on Thursday, including the Marsamxett marina operators, Hili Ventures, Palumbo Superyachts and the Midi consortium, which has the Manoel Island concession. Beween them, they submitted 21 bids, with a dramatic range of bids, from Hili's €15.4 million, to Marina di Gżira's €2.9 million. Transport Malta is looking for an operator to run the Gżira Garden marina almost a decade after it announced its intention to privatise it. The 25-year concession will cover 25,000 square metres, including a capitanerie in the garden and the stern-to berthing along the quay. The concession envisages a two-year period during which the operator will upgrade the area and install pontoons, after which fees can be raised according to a schedule set at the operator’s discretion. The winning bidder will have to accommodate the 54 boats berthed there, currently paying a total of €185,000 a year for two years. The successful bidder will have to pay a one-time lump sum, plus an annual concession fee of not less than €175,000 during the term of the contract.It envisages two years in which the operator will upgrade the area. There is also a fixed...