From builder - harbour designer to marina manager
Poralu Marine, created in 1982, is today one of the leaders in the design and construction of infrastructure for marinas in France and abroad. The company based in Port, in the Ain department, is diversifying by launching in 2020 an offer called Marina Management & Consulting (MM&C). Poralu Marine will now offer a complete range of services, including marina management: "Initially, we are designers and builders of marinas. Today, we are adding layers, with financing and operation, in France and elsewhere. There will be 2 scenarios: we can be solely operators, either under public service delegation or for private real estate investors, or we can buy a dock, invest in it and operate it. The idea is to refocus everything around one entity, from design to operation" summarizes Christophe Sauné, director of the MM&C offer.
Integrating the marina into the territory
Poralu Marine presents its approach as different from that of the actors. Christophe Sauné insists on the integration of the marina into its environment. "We're not going to position ourselves in a frontal position with the existing operators. We are starting from the observation that the ports are often seen as boat parks for rather old owners. We are going to offer other activities, such as catering, leisure activities on land and at sea, education... to bring in other people. We are not property developers, but we wish to associate ourselves with this type of stakeholders to bring integration into the territory and to revive certain ports."
Poralu MM&C will also offer pure consultancy assignments. "We were already doing this, but it allows us to structure this offer", adds the director.
Ambitions for rapid development
To support this diversification, the company has set up a team of 2 people, Christophe Sauné, former Asia Pacific Director of Poralu Marine and Cédric Le Rest, former General Manager of Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi, now Director of Marina Operations. They are supported by internal technical teams and local external consultants. The company has ambitions for rapid growth, both in France and internationally. "We have already responded to some markets. Our objective is to manage 5 to 10 marinas over the next 5 years, either on our own or under delegation," concludes Christophe Sauné.
