On Thursday a very small and restrained ceremony marked the coming into service of the port of Cala de Forte, a facility that has been paid for by Monaco and which will be administered by the Monaco Ports Authority.

Tuiga, the flagship of the Monaco Yacht Club, was the first to enter the harbour, which lies 7.6 nautical miles from Port Hercule.

Work will continue on the port until next spring, and it will be formally inaugurated in the summer of 2021. It has a capacity of 178 vessels and between 30 and 50 yachts are expected to moor over the winter.

Various marine businesses will start to open on the port from early November.

The Société monégasque internationale portuaire (SMIP), a subsidiary of the Monaco Ports Operating Company (SEPM), is based on the new port Cala del Forte and will continue the international development of Monaco-run ports, with ambitious plans in place for the port of Civitavecchia, close toi Rome, and that of neighbouring Cap-d’Ail.

SMIP is setting up a partnership with a local operator in order to respond to a call for tenders, in 2021, to carry out development work and, subsequently, manage the port. Monaco has been working on this file for five years.

PHOTO: The new port seen from Ventimiglia Old Town Société monégasque internationale portuaire (SMIP)