D-Marin’s CEO Oliver Dörschuck on his expansion strategy and why France is a key factor

In 2024, D-Marin added seven premium marinas, including locations in Malta, Aregai, San Lorenzo, and Livorno. It also expanded with Marina di Varazze and Porto Mirabello in Italy, and Port Camille Rayon in France, further strengthening its portfolio in the Mediterranean.

D-Marin’s growth strategy is based on creating regional footholds in prime boating areas. “Our strategy focuses on creating connected yachting clusters, giving customers more seamless cruising options, innovative service standards, and access to exclusive benefits across destinations. We continue to look for marinas that are a great fit for our approach,” says D-Marin’s CEO, Oliver Dörschuck.

“We carefully select marinas based on location to create cruising routes across the Mediterranean. By forming regional clusters, we make it easier for customers to explore multiple destinations.”

Dörschuck appreciates that expansion has been swift but says the company can ramp up without losing its USP thanks to regional expertise in its teams. He says local staff with an intimate knowledge of each region have proved key to expanding in multiple destinations without sacrificing the company’s DNA. 

“D-Marin is a Mediterranean company, and I truly believe that to be successful, we need to act in line with the country we’re in. That’s why we have a dedicated D-Marin company in each country, led by local teams who operate according to national and local rules and procedures,”  Dörschuck says. “For example, in Italy, we have an Italian director with a fully Italian team. The same goes for France.”

Breaking into France

Since 2020, D-Marin’s network has grown from 12 marinas to 25 properties. The group now offers 14,000 berths to 50,000 customers and over 1,000 specialised berths for superyachts. 

In July 2024, D-Marin entered the French marina market when it acquired the Camille Rayon marina on the Côte d’Azur, signalling somewhat of a milestone for the company. The marina operator plans to enhance the marina, which currently has 841 berths for yachts up to 75 metres, with a €52 million investment over 25 years. 

“We’re committed to expanding across the Mediterranean and, naturally, France plays a key role in that strategy,” Dörschuck continues. “In Port Camille Rayon, we found a strong alignment with the town’s vision to develop a premium, welcoming waterfront destination that’s open to everyone year-round.

“Camille Rayon completes the most valuable cluster of marinas in the Mediterranean. This key stretch of coastline — spanning the French and Italian Rivieras — connects six premium marinas: Livorno, Porto Mirabello, Marina di Varazze, Marina degli Aregai, Marina di San Lorenzo, and now Camille Rayon. Together, they offer customers the opportunity to explore some of the world’s best yachting destinations while enjoying a consistent level of service and experience across all locations.”

Regional marina networks 

This year will see D-Marin developments in Dubai, Livorno, Pylos and Vlora.

“Marina di Livorno is progressing well and plays a key role in our expansion in Italy. We are proud to have partnered with Azimut|Benetti. Set in the heart of this historic harbour city, the marina will offer 815 berths and provide direct access to exceptional cruising grounds — including the Tuscan coastline, the islands of Elba and Sardinia, and the secluded coves of the Ligurian Sea.

“We’re working closely with the local authorities, key partners, and stakeholders to bring the project to life. We’re expecting to welcome boats in 2026,” says Dörschuck.

While integrating new marinas comes with its own challenges, D-Marin’s CEO says the company positively leverages experience from sister marinas to smooth the transitions. “Growing fast comes with its challenges, especially when integrating new marinas. Our team has the advantage that we have expertise we can activate from other regions to smoothly bring new properties into the D-Marin selection.”

While the company’s customer demographics remain largely consistent across its destinations, Dörschuck notes a rise in expectation. “Customers are becoming more demanding — they value quality, seek out innovation, and are open to new sailing experiences. They expect seamless service and smart solutions, and where we provide these, the customer reaction is particularly strong.”

Infrastructure and IT in marinas

Smart marina technologies are increasingly changing the business processes of marina groups. D-Marin has been proactive and is utilising several new technologies. 

The D-Marin app enables users to monitor their vessel remotely and manage energy consumption via smart systems. ‘Smart sensors’ provide real-time monitoring of vessel parameters such as battery levels, temperature, smoke detection, bilge status, and GPS location. The sensors give boat owners control, ensuring safe and efficient vessel management. ‘Smart pedestals’ enable customers to monitor and control electricity and water consumption remotely, with real-time data access. And online booking allows boat owners to select mooring spots, make reservations, and complete payments online with a contactless experience.

D-Marin ranks among top 6% in leisure industry in EcoVadis rating 7 January 2025

“As we grow, connectivity is essential. Our global IT infrastructure supports a seamless customer journey, while allowing for local customisation. It also powers our digital tools, like the D-Marin app and boat sensors.”

He says the company’s IT infrastructure gives the team real-time insights to improve customer experience and operational efficiency.  “Take our customer feedback system, for example,” he adds. “If a guest reports an issue, like a broken cleat, it’s logged automatically, assigned for resolution, and the customer is notified once it’s fixed. This ensures fast response times and consistent service quality across all marinas.”

D-Marin’s robust growth and regional cluster strategy have enabled remarkable brand amplification in the sector. With more investment in tech and rumours of new marina acquisitions, 2025 is set to be a busy year for the group.