Investment News from MDL Marinas

MDL Marinas is committed to investing £60 million over the next decade to improve customer experience.

2020 has been a year for postponements, cancellations and putting things on hold. But MDL Marinas’ has continued with its investment program, helping to ensure that all berth holders and visitors to its marinas have the best experience possible.

One fifth of this year’s £5m investment across MDL’s UK marinas has been spent on dredging and upgrading the pontoon systems, vital for all tides access and a safe and stable berth upon arrival. Quay walls and breakwaters have also received a lot of attention, providing a protected haven and ensuring a comfortable stay and in many areas improving the experience of both customers and tenants.

“As always, most of the investment we make is not always the most visible, such as dredging and pontoon refurbishment,” says Tim Mayer, MDL’s Sales and Marketing Director, “but it would be very noticeable if we didn’t complete these major works, and would impact heavily on a customer’s experience of our marinas. Our aim is always to provide excellent infrastructure and facilities for our core boating clientele – everything else that we do expands on that, enhancing the experience for all.”

Inextricably linked to providing a great customer experience, especially in a marina location, is the environment and the need to respect and care for it. MDL takes meeting the challenge of improving its environmental impact very seriously. Three MDL marinas (Hamble Point Marina, Cobb’s Quay and Ocean Village) have solar panels installed producing 118,447 kWh of electricity last year – a further two locations are to receive solar panels in the very near future. Actively promoting the use of electric vehicles, MDL has 20 charging points across its locations for all variety of vehicles, including Teslas.

Specialist Filtabund filtration systems have also been installed at certain marinas, and very soon at Hamble Point Marina as well, filtering micro particles and oils from the wastewater generated by boatyard services before it drains into the marina and accesses the marine ecosystem. There is now a planned programme to roll out these green filtration systems across other marinas.

MDL has recognised that social trends are transforming leisure boating and marinas need to present a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere for people to enjoy the on-water scene and lifestyle with family and friends. Provision of bars, restaurants and the very best facilities are a core part of our marinas’ infrastructure, but we’re planning on taking this a step further, broadening the appeal of our waterside locations for all in the coming months.

Over the next 10 years MDL is committed to investing a further £60 million in its marinas. Some will be spent on environmental initiatives, and some will be spent on diversifying its business making it more inclusive and its locations more attractive to boaters and non-boaters alike. But the majority of investment, as always, will be spent on upgrading facilities, new marina hardware and the provision of services which underpin any marina operation.