Port Marlborough Drydock Media Statement

Port Marlborough welcomes the call from the New Zealand Shipping Federation for the need to establish a new dry dock in New Zealand and sees this as an opportunity to develop a facility at Picton’s Shakespeare Bay.

New Zealand’s existing largest dry dock at Devonport Naval Base in Auckland is now too small to service much of the country’s coastal fleet. This means all Cook Strait ferries, other large commercial ships and the HMNZS Canterbury have to travel to dry dock in Sydney, Singapore or further afield for regular maintenance and repairs.

“It is important New Zealand develops this new larger facility in the right location and in a timely manner, as the industry is currently spending millions on sending vessels to dry docks offshore,” says Port Marlborough Chief Executive Rhys Welbourn.

The Port has explored the feasibility of establishing a floating dry dock in Shakespeare Bay capable of lifting vessels between 200 metres and 250 metres in length, and believes it is the best option for New Zealand strategically, economically and environmentally.

Shakespeare Bay’s location in the upper South Island is its prime strategic advantage. Being at one end of the inter-island ferry route and next to the Cook Strait shipping lane, offers huge savings in travel time and productivity for the industry. The Port has excellent rail, road and air connections, meaning materials, equipment and people can be easily brought in when needed.

Welbourn also believes Shakespeare Bay is also an obvious choice in terms of development costs.

“There is already a commercial wharf in Shakespeare Bay operating on a 24/7 basis and a dry dock facility would fit with that. We have New Zealand’s deepest natural berth so minimal dredging would be required and we have land available for supporting services.”

In July 2015, following initial discussions about the concept, Port Marlborough engaged consultants to review the concept and provide high-level comments regarding key environmental and resource consenting issues. That review showed that with appropriate design and management, consenting is likely to be achievable; noting that the proposed location is already designated Port Zone.

“Port Marlborough is committed to protecting the environment and any dry dock development will be designed to high environmental standards.” Welbourn says.

Port Marlborough operates the second largest marina facility in New Zealand supported by a thriving boat building and maintenance industry in and around Picton. The region is also supported with engineering expertise at Woodbourne Airforce base and NMIT’s campuses.

There is a real opportunity to grow an engineering cluster on Port Marlborough land.

“The Shipping Federation came out with clear criteria. We meet all those criteria and can’t see another location in New Zealand that ticks all those boxes. Ultimately, we believe Shakespeare Bay warrants further detailed investigation as the best location in New Zealand for a new dry dock.”

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