The Queensland Government has officially opened Norship’s new Advanced Marine Manufacturing and Repair Facility
Norship is a diversified business owned by Varley Group offering services across Manufacturing, Engineering and Maritime sectors with facilities in Cairns and Darwin. Last week marked the official opening of Norship’s new Advanced Manufacturing and Marine Repair Facility at Trinity Inlet, Cairns.
Norship welcomed Deputy Premier & Treasurer, Cameron Dick and Tourism Minister Michael Healy to view and officially open the state-of-the-art multifaceted facility.
As a major infrastructure boost to the Cairns marine precinct, the 62m long x 26m high, state-of-the-art shed will create jobs and elevate shipyard capabilities to a new level. It is the first facility of its kind in the North, providing all-weather protection, humidity control and full filtration to meet the growing demand for greener practices within the maritime industry. The facility will attract and offer Norship’s clients’ flexibility year-round.
The project exemplifies Norship’s local industry and community-led initiative. It was designed and constructed by Cairns Steel Fabrication, with substantial funding from Norship and matching grant support from both the Australian Government and the State Government.
The steel portal designed structure with a capacity of up to 400 tonnes, will be large enough to fit a mobile boat hoist/ travel-lift inside. When the internal works are complete, the shed will be equipped with two overhead gantry cranes, ventilation systems and a blast door. Norship’s abrasive blasting and spray painting operation will be run from the new facility, supported by the state and federal government.
Norship’s CEO Olav Groot noted the new capability will support the future needs of Defence, Border Force, other government sectors and commercial customers. Mr Groot also stated the facility is ideally suited for Cape class vessels and evolved Cape class vessels of which the government has committed to 19 of those vessels, Australia wide.
“An emerging Army fleet including 18 medium landing craft to be built under an accelerated $2bn project announced this week could also be maintained at the new shed”. “And then we’ve got visiting foreign vessels and super yachts.” he said.
Featured in images: Managing director of CSF Industries Sean Adams, Queensland Deputy Premier Cameron Dick, Norship Chief Executive Olav Groot and Cairns MP Michael Healy in the newly opened cavernous facility equipped with two gantry cranes and a complete ventilation system.
Below image source: Brendan Radke
