Ex-MoD yard established as Gosport marine hub

A former MoD site at Royal Clarence Yard in Gosport is being developed as a marine servicing hub, following acquisition in late 2019 by UK Docks Marine Services.

Now known as Victoria Quay, the 5.7-acre site on the UK’s south coast houses marine specialists in boat repairs, maintenance and refit. 

Over the past 18 months, development work has included building flood defence systems, upgrading derelict buildings, pontoon installation, commissioning of shoreside power and preparing the hardstanding to be suitable for boat storage. 

Portfolio manager Ben Mason tells MIN that “Victoria Quay has welcomed local SMEs including Vortec Marine, Rubicon 3 Sail Training, Now Marine, Momentum Generator Controls and Wyn Creations as well as supporting the growth of UK Docks Marine Services South who are all operational from our unique waterfront site.”

Mason says that in March 2020 a brand new 75T WISE Amphibious Hoist and a 50T WISE Boat Transporter arrived. Since then, the team at Victora Quay has managed over 150 boat lifts from the slipway.

“Over the next 10 years the development plan aims to continue with a new hoist dock, a boat drystack facility and the development of a 3,500sqm building, which used to house the entire Royal Navy’s Rum Rations,” Mason adds.