As part of their development plan, Oceania Marine is delighted to announce that they have recently placed an order for the first of two travelift machines. Work has started on the new Port Whangarei Marine Centre (PWMC) at South Shipyard, Port Whangarei, New Zealand, which will incorporate the new travelift haulout service. The development is starting with the installation of a 100 tonne Cimolai mobile boat hauler (MBH 100), utilising the extensive sealed hardstand, refit sheds, as well as amenities available at South Shipyard. The works will take approximately 6 months to complete.
MBH 100 – A similar machine
Managing Director, Martin Gleeson, says: “The initiative has been some years in the planning and it is exciting for our whole team to finally be starting on the real thing. This first stage not only targets a market that Oceania Marine currently does not cater for but in addition will ease pressure on the slipping schedule of the 800 tonne railway slipway at North Shipyard, located close by, for more large vessel haul outs.”
The 100 tonne travelift will have an inside clear width of 10.2 metres making it physically the largest machine in New Zealand. The PWMC at South Shipyard will be offering haulout, refit and repair services to a wide range of vessels both domestic and international.
Marketing Manager Jim Loynes is tasked with promoting the marine centre and he comments: “Whangarei is the main maintenance stop in the South Pacific for the international cruising fraternity. The number of visiting yachts is increasing and so too is the number of sailing catamarans, consequently, we have optimised the travelift to service this market. We plan to finish construction and installation in time to open by at least October this year. Between now and then I will be busy marketing the marine centre and informing everyone of what we will have on offer.”
Provision is also being made for the installation of a 450 tonne Cimolai mobile boat hauler (MBH 450) which is to follow the installation of the smaller travelift. This next stage of the development is expected to be completed in time for the 2016 summer season. These developments will put the New Zealand marine industry and Port Whangarei in particular at the forefront of the international market as it will be able to offer an all tide, on demand service to vessels up to 450 tonnes.
South Shipyard is a large purpose built marine fabrication facility of over 4 hectares in area. By adding efficient and flexible haulout Oceania Marine is creating a world class marine facility that compliments it’s operation at North Shipyard. By it’s nature the marine industry as a whole is a complex cooperative enterprise particularly on larger projects and so, enhancement of these facilities will have beneficial effects for the wider community. Initial design of a unique 4000 tonne Syncrolift for installation at the site has also been done so that discussion with partners and funders can proceed.
Martin comments further: “Our experience in the market along with our own research, and that of others, is telling us we need to be able to service vessels up to 100 metres in length with displacements of up to 4000 tonne. So at some point, probably sooner rather than later, we need to expand haulout capability to handle this size of vessel. What we have come up with is a side-shift syncrolift and rail transfer system for installation at South Shipyard. It is made up of two, 2000 tonne platforms, that can work together or independently. The additional advantage is that a single 2000 tonne platform can be installed initially with the other to follow if capital raising dictates that approach.”
Meanwhile efforts will be concentrating on the Port Whangarei Marine Centre and getting both travelifts operational as soon as possible. Progress updates will be released as construction proceeds.
