- CURRENT NEWS / Fiji
- 29 November 2019
NAWI ISLAND LTD HAS AWARDED the Nawi Island Marina and shipyard contract to Gulf Marina Management (GMM). Michael Gann, Managing Director of Nawi Island Ltd, says he is pleased to have GMM on board, following the announcement that Bellingham Marine will commence construction of the marina on site in January 2020.
In addition, Andrew Chapman, CMM Chairman of GMM, reports he is very excited to be involved with the new superyacht marina and has reviewed the design in line with current data on the types of vessels visiting Fiji and their expectations as well as time spent in the region and cruising needs.
The Nawi Island Marina and Superyacht Base will host 130 vessels within the state-of-the-art marina, including nineteen berths to accommodate superyachts up to 85 metres in length. The engineering has been designed to cyclone rate the marina, allowing year-round storage of vessels in the water.
Fiji is expecting a significant increase in the numbers of superyachts visiting over the next few years because of the 36th Americas Cup in Auckland and the specifically designed facilities at Nawi Island will help to accommodate the shortfall. The marina design and facilities being planned onshore to support the visiting yachts will be aimed at a high level of service to meet the needs of the crews and owners while in port.
With a significant investment in fuelling infrastructure, large volumes of fuel will now be available in Fiji’s northern cruising grounds at the dock when needed. This will allow for high flow bunkering at the superyacht berths and international standard fuelling facilities for all visiting vessels at the dedicated floating fuel dock.
Plans to develop a resort with health spa will complement the yacht club and restaurant facilities, which will be constructed parallel with the marina.
Chapman says, “We expect to have facilities available to accommodate yachts from May 2020 and will be looking to build alliances with other yacht companies and marinas in the South Pacific. This will ensure that we offer an outstanding network, keeping the yachts cruising in the South Pacific longer ahead of and after the Americas Cup regatta.”
“GMM are very focussed on protecting the environment and will make sure all efforts are made to implement management strategies that will minimise impact, and enhance the great initiatives that the Nawi Team are currently working on in Savusavu,” says Chapman.
The shipyard facility that will be built to service the visiting yachts will be constructed on a separate site nearby, allowing the beautiful Nawi Island Marina to be free of the boatyard activity.
The shipyard will be serviced by a wide-body, 75-tonne Travelift allowing the retrieval of catamarans for repairs, servicing and long-term on-land storage when cruisers break their travels to return home.
The ability to lift catamarans will be enhanced with a hydraulic trailer specifically designed to support the larger cruising cats when lifting.
Chapman says he is looking to talk with contractors and business owners about the opportunities that will present at the shipyard who are interested in operating businesses that will provide the services and products needed to service up to two-hundred yachts on the yard when at capacity.
