ICOMIA Marinas Group names new member

The International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) has announced that Jachthaven Portus Ganda, a marina in Ghent, Belgium, has become a member of the ICOMIA Marinas Group (IMG).

The IMG seeks to improve the sharing and exchange of information with respect to the development and best practice management of marinas, boat storage facilities, boating access and associated infrastructure throughout the world.

“By becoming a member we want to strengthen the Flemish representation in ICOMIA and share experiences and best practice information with the members of other nationalities,” says Rudy Van der Ween from the City of Ghent Tourism Office. “ICOMIA is an important body for us because it is the world leader in the interests of the recreational marine industry. Their know-how is unique.”

Portus Ganda, which officially opened in 2005, is the nautical gateway to the city of Ghent, located at the confluence of the Scheldt with the Leie close to the city centre. The marina offers one night stays and holidays, as well as a limited number of places for longer stays.

New pleasure craft legislation has been in force in Belgium since July 2019. It is organised around two pillars: administrative simplification and increased safety. Portus Ganda says it will investigate what effects this will have on the nautical industry and marinas, and will share its findings with the ICOMIA network.