Building blocks
The New Zealand marine industry is celebrating a major milestone with agreement on a central new marine facility.
06 June 2018
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Auckland’s Orams Marine and the city’s redevelopment agency, Panuku Development Auckland, have reached an historic agreement to build a comprehensive refit and maintenance facility in Wynyard Quarter.
The much-anticipated and hotly-debated marine facility was given the green light in early June. The area, known as Site 18, will be home to a facility capable of hauling out and servicing large vessels up to 620 tonnes, and allowing New Zealand to grow its market share in this sector and creating 500 new jobs.
The NZ Marine industry has welcomed the news, envisaging greater apprenticeship numbers, an increase in jobs and the ability to take full economic advantage of hosting the America’s Cup in local waters. Limited facilities in New Zealand for adequately hauling out vessels of this size means local companies are regularly turning away work due to lack of space to haul the vessels out.
Orams plans to complete the marine elements of the site in time for the next America’s Cup in early 2021 in order to take advantage of the influx of commercial and spectator vessels predicted to arrive with the regatta.
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“This move is a step towards [achieving] a long-term strategy the marine industry has held since 2000,” said NZ Marine Executive Director Peter Busfield.
That strategy was to retain parts of Wynyard Quarter to create a concentrated marine precinct crucial to New Zealand’s overall marine sector. Deepwater access to the sites, coupled with proximity to logistical needs and the business Auckland attracts, makes the area unique in New Zealand for hosting a thriving marine precinct.
“The Orams Site 18 project will enhance our capability of providing quality refits and maintenance on the world luxury yacht market,” said Orams Marine Services Managing Director, Craig Park.
“The latest 620-tonne travel hoist will allow us to triple our capacity for vessels out of the water. This is a momentous project that will put Auckland and New Zealand at the forefront of the world refit and maintenance industry.”
Orams Marine, led by CEO Neven Barbour and MD Craig Park, has put significant effort into creating a hub that adds sustainable value to the wider Auckland economy, alongside its positive injection into the marine industry. The new facility is predicted to create 500 new jobs and significantly increase customer retention. Vessels the facility will be able to service will include fishing vessels, ferries, commercial vessels and superyachts.
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