Benalmádena Marina continues to make a profit despite the Willow paddle steamer crisis

“Last year we also had to pay for another boat to be refloated (La Morena), and that was not a problem thanks to the income and the fact that the marina is being well-managed,” said Cortés.

There has been a “sustained growth” in income between 2016, when it was 3,708,000 euros and 2021, when it reached 4,230,000 euros, apart from the year 2020 when earnings dropped because of the pandemic.

The councillor pointed out that in March this year the berths in the port were 88 per cent occupied and she believes the marina may be completely full in the near future because demand is so high.

The concession for managing the port comes up for renewal in May, and Cortés said that once that has happened there will be “an exciting new phase, with a series of projects which we will announce once the Junta de Andalucía has given them the go-ahead, to turn Puerto Marina into a benchmark for nautical training,” she said. The port will be the “seed” for a future training centre in Benalmadena, which will attract many complementary activities “ and become a motor for job creation and wealth," she added.