Port Whangarei Marine Centre Navigates Its Way Through the ‘New Normal’
For most shipyards, worldwide, we are experiencing a very different mix of customers to ‘normal’ and perhaps we now have what is referred to as the ‘new normal’. For the Port Whangarei Marine Centre (PWMC) it is mid-summer and the America Cup is in full swing. The yard offers full service refit and repairs to a wide range of recreational and commercial vessels. But with the New Zealand borders closed to non-citizens our usual Summer influx of foreign vessels from the Pacific Islands and the expected foreign spectator fleet for the America’s Cup has not happened. Despite this vessels in the yard compares favourably to previous years. By good management and no doubt by a bit of luck as well, New Zealand is largely Covid-19 free but not so the rest of the world. This has confined Kiwis within New Zealand where they have unrestricted access to all parts of the country and its coastal waters. This has resulted in a large increase in marine activity and to the benefit of marine businesses.
Currently, haulout is via our 100 tonne travel lift which will soon be joined by a new 560 tonne lift being manufactured by Cimolai in Italy. PWMC is located at Oceania Marine’s South Shipyard in New Zealand at the head of the Whangarei Harbour. It has extensive high quality sealed hardstand and facilities with the option of extensive refit shed space. Oceania Marine Refit Services have a skilled and dedicated team backed by specialist approved contractors who can undertake all aspects of any works required.
Contact Lee Sigley and his team to get a haulout proposal for your project at the PWMC. They will be pleased to assist, be it just a haul and waterblast or a substantial project. There is an approval process for foreign vessels who require substantial refits or servicing who have booked a haulout at a New Zealand shipyard to get permission to enter the country to complete the works. Please ask for details of how to apply and the criteria. CLICK HERE FOR CONTACTS