Finances in shipshape form for Port Marlborough

Port Marlborough has revealed its first half of the year financial report – and its smooth sailing so far

Progress has been made across the company’s key focus areas: people, planet, prosperity, and partnerships.

Critical risk and fatigue risk management measures have been implemented, the report says, and the safety of people remains a top priority.

Port Marlborough owns and operates Marlborough’s regional port and is home to New Zealand’s largest marina network, including Picton, Waikawa, and Havelock marinas.

Marlborough Sounds Marinas became the first in New Zealand to achieve International Clean Marina accreditation.

This highlights the company’s commitment to high standards in marine biosecurity and environmental management says Port Marlborough Chief Executive Rhys Welbourn.

“The International Clean Marina accreditation is a milestone achievement and highlights how seriously we take the importance of marine biosecurity across our operations.”

Across operations, 82 per cent of waste has been diverted from landfill, and habitat restoration efforts continue, with thousands of native plants established in key areas.

Since 1988, Port Marlborough has returned more than $90m to its shareholder Marlborough District Council Holdings Ltd in dividends.

Revenue has increased by 13 per cent compared to the same period last year, the report shows.

This is partly due to a boost in berthage uptake at Waikawa North West Marina and a rise in forestry trade of 18 per cent supported by the completion of the South Island’s first on-port debarking facility,

The marinas are in high demand, explains Rhys.

"These results show the benefits of our continued investment in infrastructure, environmental initiatives, and workforce capability.

“We are seeing strong performance across key trade areas, our marinas remain in high demand, and our sustainability initiatives are delivering measurable outcomes,” he says.

Ensuring investment decisions help support regional growth is important mobbing forward, he adds.

"As we move into the second half of the financial year, we remain committed to delivering value for Marlborough, supporting and facilitating Marlborough’s key trades, and ensuring that our investment decisions contribute to the long-term success of the region."