A SPANISH tennis star has invested in a Malaga enterprise that intends to transform the city’s marina.
In becoming a shareholder in the company, called Ocean Platform Marinas (PM), Rafael Nadal has taken another leap in the business career that he ventured into after stepping off the courts for the last time.
His investment has been made through his company Aspemir which has a strategy that spans tourism, sport and real estate.
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OPM already operated one marina in Malaga and is now leading the bid to build and run another.
With the Muelle Uno megayacht marina under its control, OPM is hoping to lead the project of the future San Andres harbor in the Huelin district.
This new venture would offer over 500 berths and a music auditorium, feeding into the growth of luxury yacht tourism.
Nadal’s investment in this initiative is separate to the tennis club he is building closeby to the port extension.
The former tennis player’s popularity could also assist the investment.
With the Iran war came unsettled investment plans across the Persian Gulf meaning that the participation of Al Alfia, a Middle Eastern investment group who had been expected to help finance this particular Malaga marina project, has become uncertain.
Nadal is however widely followed in Qatar and the Middle East leading some to suggest that his involvement could get stalled negotiations moving once more because it not only brings money but also credibility and global visibility.
These negotiations must continue if the project is to go ahead – the port authority has warned investors that they are at risk of losing the concession if building work does not begin soon.
Alongside Nadal in this venture is entrepreneur Jose Luis Almazan, the Matutes family and Domingo de Torres.
Together this team has the aim of creating a network of spaces for luxury yachts across Spain and the Mediterranean.
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