Supporting marina managers over the long term
Poralu Marine has been designing and manufacturing marinas since 1984. Since the beginning of 2021, it has created the entity Poralu MM&C for Marina Management & Consulting to go beyond this core business. "We have almost 40 years of experience in the field and want to share it by positioning ourselves as a partner for managers. We position ourselves upstream for the technical definition of the port, but also on the business model aspects. And downstream of the design and manufacturing aspect, on the training of teams, and even direct management. In 1.5 years, we have already accompanied a dozen ports in France, the Middle East and South America" explains Christophe Sauné, in charge of MM&C.
Exporting French know-how
French expertise in port management is recognized abroad, but poorly exploited, according to Michel Cavaillès, former director of Port Camargue for 20 years, who joined Poralu MM&C as an expert. "There is a real know-how with a fairly democratic yachting industry that has adapted to manage many users. We are the only country with 4 to 5 marinas with more than 3,000 places. In Port Camargue, I have received delegations from many countries. We have great know-how, but we don't know how to export it. We have real added value for countries where yachting is developing. This is also true at the environmental level. France has created Ports Propres," says the newcomer to Poralu.
The main markets targeted are the Middle East, Latin America and Asia, using Poralu's 8 international offices. Other historical markets are also targeted. "There are countries where the business model sometimes needs to be reviewed, such as Australia, where the Anglo-Saxon yacht club system sometimes struggles to recruit," explains Christophe Sauné.
French ports to be supported
Poralu is not shying away from the domestic market, even if it sees obstacles in the operating model for a private company. "We are aiming at diversified "boutique" projects with real estate and commercial leases, a medium to high end positioning, rather than large ports with many moorings," explains Cédric Le Rest, MM&C's operations manager.
On the other hand, accompanying missions are more feasible. "The large ports do not have too many difficulties. On the other hand, medium-sized ports have more difficulty balancing their budgets, requalifying and modernizing to meet their needs. There is a need for training plans, and for teams to upgrade their skills, and we will have to support elected officials over the next 10 to 15 years," adds Michel Cavaillès.
