Tourist Port of Otranto

The tourist port of Otranto

The project for the construction of the new Otranto marina, which involves an investment of €70 million and a 50-year management contract, envisions a protected water area of ​​approximately 8.8 hectares, while the land areas and piers occupy approximately 3.1 hectares, a small portion of which has been reclaimed from the sea and is primarily located in the eastern part. There is also a small area designated for the shipyard for the storage and repair of smaller vessels.

The port’s capacity for 481 vessels is distributed across 399 permanent berths, 51 transit berths—up to 80 considering small vessels—and two berths reserved for the Port Authority. The project largely accommodates vessels between 10 m and 21 m in length (73.7% of the total), while also ensuring good availability (20% of the total) for smaller vessels (vessels <10 m in length). The port layout also allows for the hosting of 25 maxi yachts ranging in length from 21 to 40 metres, with reserved moorings along the two main piers.

The project concept is to create a new port basin outside the current Port’s outer breakwater, encompassing a typical Mediterranean-inspired seaside village nestled between the quay and the hills behind it, with the waterfront pedestrianized. Outdoor parking areas, some of which already exist, will be served by shuttle buses, as well as new parking areas for the exclusive use of the Port and port facilities.

A small square and a series of open spaces, stairways, ramps, and pedestrian walkways lead along the quayside to the Port’s new service buildings (commercial premises, tourist facilities, port services), nestled under green roofs to preserve the delicate environmental balance between the Port and the surrounding landscape. Passengers arriving in Otranto from the local roads (Lecce – Maglie, Uggiano, etc.) can easily reach the new Port.

Environmentally conscious Sea works

The new port’s breakwater features three straight sections of varying lengths, following the “broken” contours of the existing San Nicola pier and the complex bathymetry. The first section is rooted in the central arm of the existing pier and extends offshore, gaining seaward space, following a nearly symmetrical course with the third arm of the existing San Nicola pier. The second, longer section runs almost parallel to the contour lines, while the third, shorter section, curved inward, protects the dock from easterly and sirocco storm surges and allows the delicate headwaters to be located on shallower, steeper seabeds, without impacting the nearby underwater canyon.

The entrance is wide and deep according to international standards for the maximum expected vessel size, as is the internal access channel that follows the internal (undocked) face of the breakwater and leads to the mooring pontoons.

At the head of the breakwater, near the entrance, there will be a dock for refueling and wastewater extraction. This dock will be sufficiently protected, easily accessible from land and sea, and far enough from the internal docks.

As a further environmental compensation measure, the reforestation of approximately 7,200 square meters of the oceanic Posidonia meadows within the Alimini SIC, not far from the site of the new port, is planned.

Efficient Port Services

The building overlooking a small square will house a bar and restaurant. The first washroom block for vessel crews, consisting of toilets, sinks, showers, footbaths, dishwashers, and laundry sinks, is located with an entrance facing the dock. These are connected to two utility rooms with access from the urban roadway behind. A restaurant will also be available.

To the east of the port complex, a suitable “technical” area has been designated for the storage and repair yard, taking into account that a facility equipped with a slipway and travel lift already exists in the Inner Port, which will also be available to users of the new Port.

At the head of the inner quay, the Outer Port control tower is strategically located with a commanding view of the open sea, the entrance, and the entire port. The dock for refueling and disposing of on-board sewage is located adjacent to the tower, in an easily accessible position, both by sea (from outgoing boats) and by land (from refueling tankers).