First Stage of Development at Orams Marine Complete

The first stage of an extensive development at Orams Marine is complete, marking the culmination of a project years in the making.

At an event held on Thursday evening (July 8) overlooking the new 12,000 sqm hardstand, with the new 820 tonne and 85 tonne travel lifts backlit against Auckland city’s skyline, and superyachts providing a backdrop for proceedings, project stakeholders gathered for the occasion.

Welcomed by Orams Marine CEO, Neven Barbour, the event began with an acknowledgement of the effort by many parties who had worked to bring the project to fruition. From the Orams Marine team, to their partners within Auckland Council and its agencies, as well as marine industry figures; all of whom had played a part in creating a vision for the waterfront over the past decades.

“The location here is unique and you can see the investment that’s gone into it. What has been created here will serve the industry well into the future,” said Barbour.

The first stage of development has encompassed extensive dredging and construction works before the installation of a 12,000 sqm hardstand, three 90 metre marina piers, a new  820 marine travel lift, as well as a new 85 tonne marine travel lift, and industry-leading water treatment plant.

“Strengthening the sea wall, containing contamination, plus the in-built water treatment plant which sets a new standard in discharge water treatment; the result of this is a best-in-class engineering solution,” Barbour continued. 

David Rankin, chief executive of Auckland Council’s urban regeneration agency, Eke Panuku Development Auckland, followed, telling the assembled crowd the development was a crucial component in the wider vision for Auckland’s waterfront.

“The project we’re celebrating this evening is a good illustration of one of the core strategies we’ve been pursuing on the waterfront, which is that we wanted to retain in Auckland a genuine, authentic, working waterfront character. Right back when the original planning was done by  Auckland Council, we’ve always been clear that special and focused effort would be made to preserve and strengthen over time, the marine business component of the waterfront,” said Rankin.  

“There has been a very significant investment by Orams in this site. It’s great to finally see a big travel lift. I’ve been reading about, and seeing lots of overseas examples, and then to walk up and see just how big it is. Also knowing the terrific space that piece of equipment puts you in for getting not only the most domestic business available, but also critically for the country overall as it pitches you very competitively for the international superyacht market,” Rankin continued.

CEO of the NZ Marine industry association, Peter Busfield, followed Rankin. “David, thank you for your confidence in the marine industry. I’m sure we will deliver, and it will be good for not only the marine industry, but for the economy of Auckland and of New Zealand.

“We have confidence for the future. New figures from the Superyacht Report last week, say that, with the number of superyachts now in construction, from 2022 there will be in excess of 6000 superyachts over 30metres in length; and likely to be around 8000 by 2030. This provides a huge opportunity for Orams Marine and Auckland to try and capture some of that market.”

The build of an 85 tonne work shed is underway now which is sized to allow the 85 tonne marine travel lift to drive in, allowing for covered work on vessels to be easily completed. The next stage of development will see extensive commercial buildings completed in the latter part of 2022, with residential development to follow.