CALA DEL FORTE – Marco Cornacchia

Yacht Class n°39 (dec 2024/jan-feb 2025)

Director of Cala del Forte

At the helm of this ultra-modern marina in the east of the Principality, Marco Cornacchia is determined to make it even more attractive. Recognised as Monaco’s third port, Cala del Forte is without doubt an ideal Mediterranean port of call. Its director explains.

Written by JM Moreno – Photos : DR.

Now that the year is coming to a close, what is your overall assessment of 2024?

2024 has been an exceptional year, having achieved 100% occupancy through contracts of various durations, many of which are stipulated to the end of the concession agreement (40 years). All of this with a minimal turnover rate and a substantial waiting list. This has definitely been a busy year, one that has seen the entire Cala del Forte team working hard on the front line, including Anita Amalberti, who joined us last January as our business development manager and whose professional contributions have been crucial. Cala del Forte is already recognized in the market due to its impeccable standards in terms of quality, the breadth of services provided, and the prestige of being Monaco’s third official marina.

Cala del Forte recently achieved Schengen port status from the Italian government. What does this recognition mean for the marina?

This acknowledgement comes as the latest in a series of new services: Cala del Forte has, indeed, become the first western border entry point in Liguria and in Italy for non-Schengen boats and crews, making the marina a strategic location for regulating access to the Schengen area and ensuring security checks and compliance with EU regulations. This means that captains and crew members arriving from non-Schengen countries can now handle IN and OUT passport control directly in our own fully operational on-site police station, which has already processed a great deal of checks.

How would you summarise the key points of Deloitte’s report?

According to Deloitte, the global new boat market is benefitting from a positive post-COVID momentum, reaching a worldwide value of € 32.4 billion in 2022, which means an annual growth rate of 11 percent, an achievement fuelled by growing demand from new enthusiasts attracted by the sense of freedom associated with yachting. Over the course of the past three years, orders for superyachts over 30 metres in length have increased to 600 units in 2022, with further growth expected for the following year. The 60-metre-plus superyacht segment, while only accounting for 16 percent of units, contributed 62 percent of the total market value. Additionally, the customer base has shifted significantly towards Millennials, who are demonstrating a clear preference for eco-friendly, technologically advanced yachts, with faster purchasing times.

So what do Deloitte’s market analysts predict for the industry?

The growth forecasts, according to Deloitte’s research, see the 20-50 metre segment acting as the market’s principle driving force, with an estimated share of 56.9 percent in 2023 and a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.5 percent expected until 2030. The superyacht market segment (over 30 metres) will continue to grow, fuelled by demand from high net worth individuals (HNWIs), attracted by custom designs and high-end comfort. Projected annual growth for this category is around 7 percent, driven by a clientele that is increasingly seeking out tailored luxury and exclusive experiences. All in all, the 30- to 76-metre superyacht market is expected to expand at an average annual rate of between 5 and 7 percent, driven by a growing demand for luxury, personalisation and a focus on sustainability as consumers become increasingly aware of environmental concerns. Finally, the global marine industry as a whole is currently undergoing a consolidation trend, with approximately 400 M&A deals having taken place between 2021 and 2023. In view of these numbers, it will become increasingly important for owners to rely on the security of a berth located in their preferred port and region. Cala del Forte, with its unique characteristics and ideal location, represents a solution to this need, and it is for this very reason that more and more owners of yachts from 30 to 76 metres in length are securing long-term contracts with us.

Moving away from Deloitte, what do you think is the secret behind the success that the marinas in Western Liguria and the Côte d’Azur have achieved?

There is no secret. Monaco, Antibes, Cannes, Cala del Forte and Sanremo all play a central role when it comes to superyachts in the Mediterranean, representing a share of around 30-35% of all superyachts and yachts present during the winter months. These locations are chosen because they are true icons of luxury that offer modern infrastructures, high-end hospitality, and excellent services all year round, including for winter storage and maintenance, all elements that encourage the presence of large yachts in this particular region, even out of season. In the summer months, these spots also provide access to a brimming programme of international events that never fail to attract luxury yachts from all over the Mediterranean. One need only think of the boat shows in Cannes and Monaco, or the Sanremo Music Festival and Monaco F1 Grand Prix. Western Liguria and the Côte d’Azur also enjoy a relatively mild climate, even during the winter, a fact that carries significant weight when it comes to deciding on a home port for yachts and superyachts that for whatever reasons need to stay in the Mediterranean.