Portico and SMS Group partner in short stay ship repair
File picture to accompany SMS Group story about new partnership with Portico, Portsmouths International Cargo Terminal
The SMS Group, one of the country’s leading ship repairers and marine engineering services providers, has partnered with Portico, Portsmouth’s International Cargo Terminal, to provide dedicated ‘short stay’ ship repair wharfage to all ship operators within the Solent.
SMS has an enviable reputation as specialists in ship repair, marine engineering and major fabrication projects in the Commercial Marine, Defence and Superyacht sectors.
The business also operates, in‐house, a diving and sub‐surface marine engineering division.
Portico, based at Portsmouth International Port, is well known in the maritime industry for its fresh produce expertise and a recent successful expansion into the project cargo market has resulted in a big increase in the numbers of vessels using its quays.
By partnering with the SMS Group, it can now provide alongside ship repair services to new and existing customers alike.
The site has three perfect berths; Flathouse Quay, 165m max LOA, with a depth of 9.1m; Albert Johnson Quay, 230m max LOA, depth of 8.1m, and North Quay, 80m max LOA, depth of 4.3m ‐ all perfect for ‘short stay’ ship repair.
Good craneage and 24hr access is also possible in all locations.
Chris Norman, the Managing Director of The SMS Group, comments: “Berthing for ship repair in the Solent can be and often is expensive.
“This fact often works against operators when they consider the region for alongside ship repair works and short, sharp refits ‐ which is an area of expertise that we specialise in.”
He concludes: “The solution offered by Portico is something new and something unique in the area.
“We’ve developed a partnering approach and a very special pricing structure; completing ship repair and refits alongside in Portsmouth has just become a seriously competitive solution.”
Steve Williams, Operations Director at Portico, adds: “Our location close to the main shipping channels means we’re ideally placed for vessels requiring quick refits and repairs.
“We’re looking forward to working with SMS to offer this unique service to our customers, new and old.”
With the agreement now in place, Portsmouth is now open for commercial ship repair works and short stay, alongside, refits.
