10 Year Anniversary for Oceania Marine

10 years ago, amid the chaos that ensued after the GFC, Oceania Marine commenced business as a refit and repair shipyard and joins a relatively small band of businesses that reach the 10 year milestone. That shipyard, now referred to as North Shipyard, was the springboard that launched Oceania Marine consisting of a traditional 800 tonne railway slipway with 4 hectors of hardstand and associated buildings, including extensive refit shed space, located in the SW Pacific at Port Whangarei New Zealand.

Oceania Marine’s principals, Martin and Shannon Gleeson find it hard to believe that the time has flown so fast. It has been a time of rapid change and growth for the company. Along the way some of the major initiatives undertaken, that contributed greatly to the accomplishment of this 10 year anniversary, were:

• In 2009 the original business plan for the refit and repair operation was devised by Martin and Shannon on a sub-contracting model and put to key contractors, suppliers and clients for their support prior to start-up which was freely given thus providing a firm foundation for the launch of the business
• In 2012 the company secured overseas finance to purchase the freehold of North Shipyard and security of tenure for the business
• Also in 2012 a long lease was taken out on another property close by in Port Whangarei which was to become South Shipyard
• In 2015 the Port Whangarei Marine Centre was opened at South Shipyard with a 100 tonne travel lift, extensive hardstand and refit shed space
• In October last year Oceania Marine refinanced the entire business onshore in New Zealand for the first time through a New Zealand owned bank, Kiwi Bank.
• Over the course of the 10 years Oceania Marine evolved its business into a formidable refit team of project managers supported by skilled trades and sub-contractors within an impressive marine hub that makes up the wider Port Whangarei area

When asked ‘what now’ Managing Director Martin Gleeson comments: 

“I have just watched the film ‘Ford v Ferrari’ and, if I can borrow an analogy, you don’t take your foot off the gas when you are in front! So it has to be for us. We have the opportunity of the America’s Cup coming up and the whole region is gearing up for this event as well as the predicted long term growth in demand for haulout facilities in the SW Pacific. Consequently, we are partway into Stage Two of our development of South Shipyard. This involves installing a 560T travel lift with associated civil works and hardstand upgrades. Particular attention is being paid to the needs of the large modern sailing superyachts. The design for Stage Two is complete, the tenders for the civil works have been done, funding has been secured and we are on our way to completion in 10 to 12 months’ time. We are open for bookings.” 

Happy anniversary Oceania Marine and may there be many more.

Slipway at North Shipyard, Port Whangarei, New Zealand