We’re gearing up for the last phases of construction and outfitting of the future marine hub of the Bay: the Tauranga Harbour Marine Precinct.
End of February saw the arrival at Port of Tauranga of the large parts and components of the travel-lift, the machine that will hoist large vessels out of the water and into the precinct. The machine’s parts were built in Italy by world leaders Cimolai Technologies, and were unloaded from their containers at the Marine Precinct site over the weekend, ready for assembly.
Max Mason, Chair of the Economic Development and Investment Committee, shares in Council staff’s anticipation at this important milestone.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the travel-lift in action”, said Max. “I’m guessing it’ll be pretty impressive, as the biggest of its kind in the country.”
The machine will be able to lift boats up to 350 tonnes, 12m wide and 45m long. It will enable large commercial fishing vessels, work boats, fast ferries and even superyachts to be serviced by the businesses establishing themselves around the precinct.
“Our marine refit industry is gaining a serious competitive advantage here. Local companies have co-invested in the precinct, by buying land there to build their businesses. The superior machine our project has delivered will make their investment really worthwhile” said Max.
Project Director Phil Wardale and civil works contractor HEB Construction are gearing up for the next two months, which promise to be busy at the Sulphur Point site.
“The Marine Precinct construction site has been a hive of activity for the past year or so”, said Phil.
“Now all HEB’s and our hard work is coming together. We’re on the home straight and it’s really exciting.”
The travel-lift will take approximately five weeks to assemble, subject to weather conditions. A team will work under the supervision of a Cimolai factory engineer to piece together the 15 metre high, 140 tonne machine. It will then go into a phase of testing, to be commissioned in April.
In parallel work will continue to deliver the different elements of the precinct’s infrastructure.
The 6,300 square metre heavy-duty pavement has cured and is ready to take the weight of the travel-lift and its maximum load.
The concrete work on the inland lifting bay, the travel-lift runways and the adjoining maintenance wharf is complete.
Arrival pontoons have been installed outside the travel-lift runways, providing an arrival point for vessels using the travel-lift.
Construction progresses on the state of the art treatment plant that will handle the stormwater and washwater from the entire hardstand area, and allow to recycle the water for water blasting.
Den Place, the main internal road, is being realigned.
A number of finishing touches such as fencing, signage and electrical work will be brought to the precinct before it is opened in the autumn. Exciting times indeed.
About the Marine Precinct project
The Tauranga Harbour Marine Precinct is an $11.4m project to deliver a purpose-built marine servicing facility at Sulphur Point. The precinct will provide a base for boat building and refit businesses in Tauranga and will be managed by Tauranga City Council under the Vessel Works brand.
By mid-2018 (stage 1 development), the precinct will include lots in a range of sizes for marine businesses, a 6,300m2 vessel storage area (hardstand), deep-water marina berths for large vessels and New Zealand’s largest vessel hoist (350-tonne haulage capacity and extra-wide).
Further development (more lots, extension to the hardstand) will be undertaken in stages, based on demand from the industry.
The Bay of Plenty Regional Council is the funding partner for the Marine Precinct project, contributing $5 million through the Regional Infrastructure Fund. Tauranga City Council’s $6.4 million contribution will be partially offset by the sale of properties on and near the site.
Vessel works website