Five years of support culminates in gala Calwell Slipway opening
The opening of the redeveloped Calwell Slipway this month marks a milestone for New Zealand’s marine servicing sector, delivering a modern, fit-for-purpose facility in the heart of Nelson’s established marine engineering cluster.
Led by Port Nelson with specialist support from WARDALE, the project brings together upgraded slipway operations, new hardstand infrastructure and a high-capacity vessel lift to significantly expand the region’s ability to service vessels up to 2,400 tonnes.
It replaces the historic and under-invested Nelson Slipway with a modern mobile vessel hoist, a state of the art wastewater processing system and a heavy pavement vessel hardstand area.
WARDALE developed a 115 page feasibility study for the project that included analysis of existing usage, market demand, competitor and pricing analysis, the broader precinct master plan, and cash flow processing.
This report, presented in a clear, digestible format, ensured that the board of Port Nelson Limited had all of the information it needed to make key decisions about infrastructure options and investment.
Wardale is proud to ultimately shape a facility that aligns with industry demand, building a precinct that is accessible to all marine operators at reasonable cost, supporting and encouraging economic development, business and job creation.
This has included input into operational requirements, positioning of the facility within the wider marine servicing network, and ensuring the redevelopment responds to both current and future vessel servicing needs. The project reflects a strong alignment between infrastructure investment and the practical realities of marine operations.
The new Calwell facility incorporates improved handling and treatment of vessel cleaning waste, alongside remediation of contaminated sediments within the slipway basin, supporting better environmental outcomes for Nelson Harbour. At the same time, the increased lifting capacity and improved turnaround times enable vessel owners to access high-quality maintenance services closer to home.
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