New UK facility opens for shiprepair

A Southampton, UK-based ship repairer has taken over a 1,000 tonne lift facility in Portsmouth harbour.

Testbank Ship Repair and partners Trafalgar Wharf unveiled the Rolls Royce syncrolift, said to be one of the biggest of its kind in the South of England. The lift was formerly part of the Halmatic boatyard, previously owned by Vosper Thornycoft, at Portchester, at the northern end of Portsmouth Harbour, close to Mercator Media's offices in Fareham.

At the inauguration of the refurbished shiplift, guests watched the Serco Denholm vessel, ‘Teesdale’ being given a 6m vertical lift for repairs and inspection.

Testbank Managing Director Jason Coltman said the lift had been brought back into use after five years out of commission and is capable of handling a wide range of contracts including superyachts, pilot boats, tugs, commercial ferries and naval vessels.

Mr Coltman said: “Before having the ship lift facility we were compelled to use other companies to slip our clients’ vessels, but now we can be a one-stop shop for complete projects at our own location.”

Trafalgar Wharf has been developing the ex-Vosper Thornycroft location since September 2008. 35 commercial tenants are now on site.

Jonny Boys, Managing Director of Trafalgar Wharf, said: “Testbank are a fast growing, forward thinking ship repair company. Being able to work with them is excellent news for us and the site as a whole. They share in our vision to resurrect this important site for marine uses.”

Testbank Ship Repair has its head office in Southampton’s Western Docks. The company has a £7m turnover and employs 65 permanent staff. Testbank offers ship repair, specialised welding services, marine electrical, warehousing and logistics, marine procurement and manufacture of accommodation modules. In addition to the Portsmouth harbour ship lift, Testbank has ship repair facilities in Avonmouth Docks and Portsmouth Naval Base and occupies premises in Southampton’s Western Docks comprising some 18,000 sq ft of workshops, warehousing and offices.

Trafalgar Wharf is a 24-acre waterside side at the top of Portsmouth harbour offering facilities and commercial space for marine companies of all sizes. Testbank took on the management of the Trafalgar Wharf ship lift facility in Portsmouth harbour in June 2009.

(Source: The Motor Ship)