Burgess does double repair contract signings
Britain’s largest independent ship repairer has scored a double by signing new long term contracts with operators Wightlink and Gosport Ferry Ltd.
Burgess Marine is refitting Wightlink’s high speed craft and Gosport Ferry Ltd’s four ships, utilising the 1,000-tonne Rolls-Royce Syncrolift in Portchester. Wightlink is signed for five years and Gosport Ferry for three years.
Brian Needle, Burgess Marine’s technical director (Commercial Marine and Defence) said: “This is great news for the site and really great news for the business.
“Wightlink and Gosport Ferry are arguably our most important local customers and it’s fantastic news that they’ve shown us a long term commitment to both the Portchester site and Burgess Marine.
“We’re all extremely excited, grateful and very proud that they’ve agreed to come back year after year.”
The cumulative contract value exceeds £5m and will help to secure many ship repair jobs in Portchester for the immediate refit season and coming years.
John Burrows, operations director at Wightlink, said: “I’m 100% confident that this is exactly the right move for Wightlink, long term deals secure not only commercial rates but also high levels of service commitment.”
Capt Keith Edwards of Gosport Ferry added: “By making a long term commitment to Burgess Marine and the shiplift we can plan our schedules and manage our budgets better, and also develop a formal working partnership with Burgess Marine to the obvious benefit of both parties.”
Burgess Marine has workshops and offices in Portchester, Portsmouth, Southampton, Dover, Poole and Avonmouth, supporting passenger ports and shipping throughout the busy English Channel.
