A strategic alliance between the Ports of the Sardinia System and Tangier city Port for the integrated development of recreational boating in the Mediterranean.
On May 22, at the stand set up together with the Cagliari Free Zone in the Race Village of the preliminary regatta of the 38th America’s Cup, the Port System Authority of the Sea of Sardinia (AdSP) and the Port Management Company of Tanger Ville presented a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening institutional cooperation and initiating new synergies in the luxury recreational boating sector.
This agreement, signed by AdSP President Domenico Bagalà and Tangier-City Port President Mohamed Ouanaya, comes at a time when the yacht, mega-yacht, and sailing cruise tourism sectors are taking on increasing economic and strategic importance—an area in which both port authorities play a leading role in the Mediterranean. The Memorandum aims to promote the creation of an integrated international yachting circuit between Sardinia and Morocco, enhancing their respective port infrastructures and increasing the attractiveness of both destinations in global markets.
On one side, Sardinia already has a flourishing luxury market, with more than 3,100 vessels over 24 metres present in summer 2025, 347 of which were superyachts (with a value exceeding €21 billion). Sardinia also has a growing shipbuilding and repair sector that could capture more winter refit activity from traffic currently in Morocco (and partly due to excess demand in Spain), where this type of service is not yet fully structured.
On the Moroccan side, the sector finds one of its main reference points in the Tanja Marina Bay International terminal, which offers over 1,400 berths and additional growth potential in winter thanks to integrated tourist flows — with shared tourist-experience packages — with the Island.
The synergy between the two markets therefore represents one of the most interesting development opportunities for the maritime economy. In this respect, the agreement will help facilitate the movement of yachts and mega-yachts between the two areas.
Under the cooperation foreseen by the Memorandum of Understanding, the parties commit to developing joint initiatives aimed at improving reception and assistance services dedicated to large vessels, simplifying administrative and customs procedures, and strengthening port offerings.
At the same time, a coordinated international promotion activity will be launched through participation in the main industry trade shows; the definition of shared marketing and branding strategies, including the creation of a common identity for the “Sardinia–Tangier” circuit.
Particular emphasis will be placed on developing integrated nautical itineraries that combine high-quality port services with the promotion of the region’s cultural, natural, and gastronomic attractions. The partnership will also focus on sustainability and innovation through joint initiatives in port service digitalization, renewable energy, and smart marina models. In addition, the two parties will share best practices for the use of biofuels, which, within a circular economy approach, offer a promising path toward greater sustainability and energy self-sufficiency.
Activities set out in the Memorandum will be implemented through shared operational plans, technical meetings, delegation exchanges and staff training.
“With the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding,” explains Domenico Bagalà, President of the Port System Authority of the Sea of Sardinia, “we are launching a significant collaboration with a leading partner in the Mediterranean area. Our goal, supported by the growing international relationships the Authority is forging across its different areas of responsibility — from cargo to ferries, from cruise shipping to yachting — is to strengthen the positioning of our ports across all markets, in this specific case in the luxury yachting and shipbuilding segment. This is a strategy to intercept, in a circular and mutually beneficial way, new high value-added tourist flows for recreational boating and, specifically for the Island, for winter refit activities. It is a great opportunity for economic, social and employment growth, thanks to which Sardinia can broaden its internationalization plan for yachting, and Tangier can count on qualified partners to build a structured vocation.”
“This Memorandum of Understanding,” explains Mohamed Ouanaya, President of the Port of Tangier, “constitutes a crucial step in defining a structured partnership between our institutions, based on principles of shared and sustainable value creation. The marina of the Port of Tangier, located in a strategic position at the entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar — one of the main international navigation axes — is a natural reference point for attracting and channeling international flows of large recreational boating. In this context, the Kingdom of Morocco, as a gateway to the African continent, and in particular the city of Tangier, with its rich cultural heritage and consolidated experience in hosting high-quality tourism, offers a privileged environment supported by modern infrastructures fully suitable for superyachts. The complementarity with Sardinia, an outstanding destination in the Mediterranean basin, opens significant development prospects, both in terms of increased tourist flows and the structuring of an integrated nautical ecosystem. The partnership embodies a win-win vision, where the excellence of both destinations, together with high standards of safety and quality of welcome, creates the conditions for shared growth and for strengthening the international positioning of both regions.”
