Australia: Brisbane Shipping Constructions Ltd to Take Ownership of Cairns Slipways

Brisbane shipbuilding company Brisbane Shipping Constructions are tipped to take ownership of Cairns Slipways. Brisbane Ship Constructions are part of the BSC Marine Group which was established in 1994. The pending sale gives certainty to the future of one of the largest marine refit and repair services in Cairns.

Cairns Slipways was established in the early 1970s to refit mainly defence and commercial vessels and diversified during the 1980s to cater to the luxury yacht market. It currently employs about 75 people and has continued to operate during the receivership period.

The Cairns Post understands BSC is the party that receivers McGrathNicol is negotiating with. Receivers representative Anthony Connelly said a contract had yet to be signed. “We are in advanced discussions with a potential buyer and the regulatory authority (Ports North),” he said.

The multi-million dollar Cairns Slipways business and associated properties have been on the market for about a year. The Portsmith business and 16 other companies that formed the Provik Pty Ltd Group of companies were placed in receivership on July 15 last year.

It has undertaken jobs including a $100,000 refit of a Townsville-based roll-on, roll-off ferry as well as two $1 million-plus contracts on a barge and another ferry with steady bookings of the slipway.

The operation is an industrial waterfront marine repair and refit facility on Trinity Inlet which provides a complete marine repair and refit service for defence, commercial and superyacht vessels up to 1200 tonnes and 80m long. The BSC group is known for the design and construction of commercial passenger ferries, high-speed patrol vessels and luxury mega yachts and in the refitting and maintenance of vessels.

The group recently delivered six 38m ferries for the Thames River of London. The management and design office is at Toowong and its shipbuilding facility is at the Brisbane Marine Industry Park.

(cairns)

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Source: cairns, August 26, 2011; Image:bscship