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The Port of Cartagena is working on a network of waterfront spaces for food markets, trade fairs and Christmas markets, with events set to spread beyond the Alfonso XII dock as far as Santa Lucía.

 

According to the Cartagena Port Authority, the plan involves a system of reusable booths that can be adapted to each event. The authority has put the technical assistance needed to draft the project and manage future works out to tender, with a starting budget of €128,580.85 including taxes.

 

Companies have until 11.59pm on Thursday October 8 to submit their bids, and the building work itself will be contracted out at a later date.

 

The tender specifications admit the Port currently has no common technical or visual approach to organising events, which makes it harder to calculate electricity, water and sanitation needs, pushes up setup costs and leads to mismatched booths and equipment. The idea is to create reusable designs covering everything from stall layouts and access points to capacity limits, evacuation routes and setup procedures.

 

The study will look at the Plaza de las Cartagenas del Mundo, the esplanade in front of the Heroes of Cavite monument and the esplanade beside the Vela del Mistral. It also takes in Plaza del Varadero and Plaza de Santiago el Apóstol in Santa Lucía, an area historically linked to the port. The Juan Sebastián Elcano cruise ship pier completes the list, with themed markets, craft and local product showcases, exhibitions and small to medium-sized performances all up for consideration, although any event there must fit around passenger movement, security checks and embarkation.

 

The winning company will have to draw up at least three layouts, covering a food market, a seasonal Christmas or craft market and a themed, commercial or institutional fair. Modular booths will need to be quick to assemble and able to withstand salt, corrosion and sun, and the study will also weigh up buying equipment against renting it.

 

The goal is that organisers can pick the most suitable venue for each event based on its size and characteristics.

 

Image: UPCT