Port Nelson chief executive Hugh Morrison says the redevelopment of the Nelson Slipway would improve the port's overall capacity. Photo: RNZ / Samantha Gee
A $20 million operation is underway to enhance the marine maintenance facilities at Port Nelson.
The Nelson Slipway redevelopment is now underway, to enable faster servicing of small and medium-sized boats.
Port Nelson chief executive Hugh Morrison said the project would increase the number of vessels able to be lifted out of the sea for maintenance.
"We'll spend about $20m building a new hardstand, putting in two new finger wharves and eventually there will be a 550-tonne travel lift that will operate here."
The neighbouring Calwell Slipway could lift vessels of up to 2400 tonnes and Morrison said the redevelopment of the smaller Nelson Slipway would improve the port's overall capacity.
"What we needed was a travel lift of around 500 tonne that could move smaller vessels a lot quicker and leave Calwell for the larger vessels."
Morrison said the project, which had been in the pipeline for a number of years, had not been without challenges.
"It's been a long journey, I think it goes back 20-plus years as different people have looked to how we reenergise this industry and make it fit for purpose for the future."
Public infrastructure projects were often difficult, as they were expensive, legacy projects that no-one wanted to pay for, he said.
The government has contributed $9.8m to the project through the Covid-19 Response and Recovery Fund.
Funding has also been provided by Nelson City Council and industry groups.