Last week the Monaco Ports Operating Company inaugurated its third port, at Cala del forte in Ventimiglia, a facility with 178 mooring spaces for vessels from 10 metres to 60 metres. Fifty berths have already been taken.

Places at the port, 15 minutes from Port Hercule by hydrofoil, do not come cheap, starting at 120,000 euros for a 40 year lease, rising to four million over the forty years.

Having won the concession to regenerate the port of Rome Civitavecchia, 40 minutes from the capital city, the Monegasque company will start work next year on a 25 million euro project to provide 160 berths, just 25 percent of the cost of the Ventimiglia port.

Aleco Keusseoglou told French daily Monaco Matin that the Rome project makes a lot of sense for Monaco: “Italy is an important market for Monaco. This presence first of all strengthens the links between our two countries. And it also allows us to attract new customers to Monaco. We will be able to create close links with the owners of Italian boats which do not necessarily know the Principality,” he said.

FILE PHOTO: Civitavecchia – Pirgo seafront