Rivergate director, Tom Hill, confirmed that JLL had been appointed to commence marketing the marina, and commented: “This has been a difficult decision for our family-owned business but we believe the time is right for a new owner to continue our work and oversee the next exciting phase of the Rivergate story. We have been fortunate to experience continued growth in the business with strong future bookings indicative of Rivergate’s outstanding reputation in the global industry.”
Yard facilities include 300-tonne and 75-tonne mobile hoists, a 55m (180ft) refit shed, hardstand, berthing for vessels up to 90m (295ft), a 24-hour fuel wharf and over 20 on-site marine trades. The 105-berth marina has all-tide deepwater access.
Rivergate’s expansion plans include a 3,000 tonne ship lift, SPMT (Self-Propelled Modular Transporter) transfer system, additional open hardstand space, refit sheds and support building, and in-water service berths suitable for a wide range of superyachts, commercial and defence vessels. The project is shovel-ready with government approvals already in place.
“Australia is ideally placed to take more advantage of the buoyant global superyacht market, which has seen substantial pent-up demand to visit our region if there was more capability to service vessels over 50m [164ft],” Hill noted. “Any future expansion of Rivergate would also be excellent timing for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games to be held in Brisbane, with industry expectation that the event will attract around 200 superyachts.”