Drydock project potential game changer for marine industry

The contract will see MJM Group create history by bringing one of the first major refits of a cruise liner in a UK dry dock as it prepares to carry out the project at Harland & Wolff in Belfast.

MJM Group, which specialises in high end marine fit outs will bring the luxury cruise company’s newest ship to Belfast, to manage and complete a full refit.

The announcement is an unprecedented, potential game changer both for MJM Group and the global cruise ship industry, as it represents the first time a cruise ship owner has awarded complete project management responsibility to an individual organisation and offfers the prospect of more such work coming to Belfast.

“MJM Group is delighted to have been awarded the refit contract for Azamara Pursuit in what is a milestone opportunity for our business, and indeed for the marine industry in the UK,” said CEO Gary Annett.

“The success of this project has the potential to be a game-changer for the UK maritime industry.

“By securing this multi-million pound contract we are putting Northern Ireland, and the UK’s marine industry in a strong position to compete for future drydock and refit works.”

There are currently 335 ocean going ships which dry-dock on average every two and a half years and it is estimated that the cruise ship industry spends $3bn on dry-docking and ships refurbishments annually.

Presently the majority of that work is carried out in shipyards in the Caribbean, Europe, USA, Canada and Asia.

“This contract gave us the opportunity we had been waiting for, which is to bring a major refit to a UK port for the first time in many years,” saidf Mr Annett.

“MJM Group has an exceptional track record of delivering world class cruise liner refits for the world’s top operators in docks across the world but we have always had the ambition to revive the rich shipbuilding industry history right here in Northern Ireland.

“We looked at many other facilities globally but we worked hard to put together a case for Northern Ireland.

“To secure the Azamara project we had to demonstrate that we had the ability to provide complete project management, outfitting, berthing and ship yard services. With Harland & Wolff on our doorstep and our experience in the industry we were able to do this. This truly is a historic day for this industry in Northern Ireland, for MJM Group and indeed our customers.”

Jonathan Guest, director of business development and improvement at Harland & Wolff said: “We are delighted that MJM Group is bringing this fantastic project to Belfast and to our shipyard.

“We have global brand recognition as a historic leader in the shipbuilding industry and we know that there is so much potential to revive this industry in Northern Ireland.

“We look forward to supporting MJM Group on this project and hopefully other refits in the future.”

Larry Pimentel, president and CEO of Azamara Club Cruises travelled to London to announce the plans for Azamara Pursuit.

“This is the first time any company within Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd has used a UK shipyard for refit works of this scale.

“We are delighted to come to Northern Ireland with Azamara Pursuit.

“It will be a truly magnificent sight to see our ship beneath the historic Harland & Wolff cranes which are so synonymous with Belfast’s proud maritime history and we thank MJM Group for helping us make this happen. Additionally, Azamara Pursuit will make her maiden voyage from Southampton which will be another momentous occasion for us.

“With the refit in Belfast and her maiden voyage from Southampton, we are showing our commitment to the UK market place.”