New Marine Facility Confirmed For Auckland

“The $1.5billion a year New Zealand marine industry is expected to receive a significant boost with the announcement and sign-off on a massive refit facility adjacent to the America’s Cup bases currently under construction in Auckland,” as reported in an article on Sail World.

“The facility will open out into Westhaven marina, the largest marina in the Southern Hemisphere. It will be on the western side of the Wynyard Point area which is the subject of major redevelopment given a new urgency by the 2021 America’s Cup.”

“The development has been advanced after the signing today of a Development Agreement between the city’s redevelopment agency Panuku Development Auckland and leading marine services company Orams,” reports the article.

“It will combine Orams facilities and that of “Site 18” which is currently used by the world’s largest sparmaker Southern Spars, and until late last year was partially used by Emirates Team New Zealand for its temporary America’s Cup base.”

“The new marine facility in the Wynyard Quarter is expected to generate more than 500 jobs including as many as 200 apprenticeships,” said Auckland Mayor Phil Goff in a written statement.

“Built in time for the America’s Cup 36 races, the precinct will benefit hugely from the refit work which will be generated during the challenge from visiting superyachts and vessels. There can be no better time to launch this facility.”

“The America’s Cup gets underway in Auckland in January 2021, it will be preceded by the Christmas Cup in mid December 2020, with the first race of the 36th Match being sailed on March 6, 2021.”

Article Source: Sail Word, February 5, 2o19

Image Source: Wikipedia