Big Upgrade At Oceania Marine – Almost There!
Stage Two of Oceania Marine’s multi-million dollar investment at the Port Whangarei Marine Centre is getting ever closer to completion. Located at South Shipyard, Port Whangarei, New Zealand the marine centre will be one of the South Pacific’s premiere refit and repair destinations for Superyachts. Managing Director, Martin Gleeson, states, adding the new 560T travel lift to its existing travel lift operation is a ‘game changer’ for the shipyard:
“The last set of piles are going in and the machine is on-site ready for assembly as soon as the Cimolai technician can get here from Italy. COVID-19 has played havoc with our schedule so we are impatient, but also excited that we are almost there. With borders opening up throughout the Pacific there is an air of expectation as we look forward to the return of the superyacht fleet. I know we are not ‘out of the woods’ yet as far as the pandemic goes and I’m sure there are still challenges ahead but we have to back ourselves for the future, whatever it holds for us.”
The project is on track to complete commissioning of the 560T machine and have everything ready for the Southern Summer season beginning in November. That is when the cyclone season starts in the South Pacific and superyachts exit the tropics to the safe refuge of places like New Zealand. With the enhanced berthage facilities now on offer within Port Whangarei for large yachts Oceania Marine is looking forward to what will hopefully prove to be a busy season. With both the 100T and 560T machines in operation the extensive hardstand and undercover refit facilities available at South Shipyard will be an attractive option for yachts.
Port Whangarei Marine Centre, New Zealand – Last piles for the piers being driven – 560T Travel Lift – Almost There!
The shipyard is busy making preparations. Recruitment is under way to bolster our existing work teams and the specialist contractors/suppliers are on standby for the increased workload. Oceania Marine’s purchasing department is grappling with COVID-19 supply chain issues and finding solutions. Oceania Marine’s Yacht Agency is on hand to assist yachts that intend to come to New Zealand. Every effort is being made to maintain a state of readiness for immediate action as activity ramps up not only here in New Zealand but right across the South Pacific.