Nelson Marina Launches New Travel Lift
The recent opening of Nelson Marina’s new 110-tonne travel lift marks a significant advancement in the Council’s economic strategy aimed at establishing Nelson as a marine engineering hub.
New Zealand’s Maritime Significance
New Zealand is renowned for its dairy and rugby, but it also holds a vital position as a maritime nation. With rights over 6 million square kilometers of ocean, New Zealand’s maritime territory is among the largest globally, offering rich marine resources. Nelson’s strong maritime heritage and central location present an opportunity to become the country’s centre of excellence in areas like fishing, aquaculture, marine science, and marine engineering.
Development and Upgrades
The new travel lift, part of the Nelson Marina Masterplan approved in 2022, replaces a 30-year-old lift. This upgrade increases lifting capacity from 55 to 110 tonnes and expands the beam of vessels accommodated from 5.6m to 8.5m. The project also includes a new, wider and stronger finger wharf, crucial for supporting the growing fleet of specialist boats in the aquaculture sector.
Future Developments
Looking ahead, plans for a new boat yard and marine service centre are underway, bolstered by $12.89 million in Government funding secured earlier this year. The boat yard is set to be completed in the first half of next year, and a call for private-sector partners for the marine service centre has been made.
Additionally, the recent commissioning of a 550-tonne Cimolai travel lift at Port Nelson’s Calwell marine maintenance facility further enhances local infrastructure, with the goal of boosting over 40 Nelson businesses and creating hundreds of jobs in the marine engineering sector.
Acknowledgements
Special thanks are due to the Nelson Marina Board, including Rick Herd, Councillor Nigel Skeggs, and current CEO Drew Hayes, for their dedication to advancing Nelson’s marine industries.
