After years of delay, the port of La Bajadilla in Marbella, southern Spain, is set for a major expansion following approval from the Andalusian regional government. A new concessionaire will take charge on 1 January, with the project expected to triple the marina’s berth capacity and redevelop the wider site.

Andalusian Ministry of Development, Territorial Planning and Housing

Approved through the Andalusian Public Ports Agency (APPA), the project was announced on 2 September during a visit to Marbella by regional development and mobility minister Mario Muñoz-Atanet, alongside mayor Ángeles Muñoz. Deputy regional minister Eduardo Gutiérrez, APPA director-general Ignacio Álvarez-Ossorio and Málaga’s regional delegate María Rosa Morales were also present.

La Bajadilla sits next to the city’s old fishing quarter and is one of four marinas in the Marbella area. The site currently has 268 berths for vessels measuring between six and 18 metres, with facilities including a restaurant, boat rental, fuel station, a crane, dry stack storage and car parking.

Its capacity is expected to nearly triple to around 750 berths, allowing vessels of up to 70 metres, including superyachts and cruise ships. Further plans will expand the port’s water space with a 1.13-kilometre main breakwater protecting the eastern and southern sides and a 450-metre secondary breakwater on the west.

The plans also include a new jetty to channel the Primero stream away from Cable beach, along with sand replenishment and transfers at Venus, La Bajadilla, El Cable and El Faro beaches. Across the wider site, new infrastructure and services will be added, including a retail area, fishing facilities, a boatyard and 1,000 parking spaces.

Málaga Hoy

According to Muñoz-Atanet, the project was first put to tender 16 years ago, but the contract was later terminated and the plans were put on hold. He said it was revived in 2019, before going through environmental reviews, reports from the coastal authority, legal assessments and a tender process.

The new concessionaire will take charge of the port on 1 January, with an investment of more than €200 million (more than $230 million USD) planned for the redevelopment. The authorities said the project would provide an economic boost for Marbella, contribute to growth and employment along the Costa del Sol, meet demand in the maritime sector and create new business and tourism opportunities.