Port Marlborough

What Port Marlborough does

Port Marlborough is a council-owned port operator headquartered in Picton, New Zealand, wholly owned by Marlborough District Council Holdings. It runs an integrated maritime platform encompassing two commercial wharves (Waimahara Wharf for log exports and cruise ships up to 320m LOA; Waitohi Wharf for roll-on-roll-off ferries), the Marlborough Sounds Marinas subsidiary (2,060 berths across Picton, Havelock and Waikawa — described as one of the largest marina networks in the Southern Hemisphere), a modernized Damen ASD towage fleet (Kaiana and Kaiaua), and a pilot vessel transfer service. The company is the South Island terminal for New Zealand's inter-island ferry corridor (Cook Strait) and handles over 1.2 million tonnes of cargo annually, 3,098 vessel visits over 500GRT (FY25), 809,699 JAS log exports, and approximately 40 cruise ship calls per year.

The business operates across four revenue streams: port services and berthing (pilotage, towage, harbour support for 3,000+ commercial vessel visits annually), cargo handling (log exports and general cargo), marina operations through Marlborough Sounds Marinas, and rental/property income including the new 3,200sqm Westshore Warehouse aquaculture logistics hub. GTM motion is direct B2B enterprise sales to ferry operators (KiwiRail, StraitNZ Bluebridge), cruise lines (Celebrity, Princess, Royal Caribbean), shipping agents (ISS-McKay, Wilhelmsen), cargo exporters, and aquaculture tenants (New Zealand King Salmon, Waikawa Fishing Company). Tariffs are publicly published and updated annually. FY25 revenue was NZD 46 million with a NZD 4.2 million projected dividend to the sole shareholder.

The company is currently executing a major infrastructure transformation programme: the NZD 110 million Waitohi Ferry Redevelopment (backed by a Marlborough District Council loan, with physical works beginning December 2025) to accommodate KiwiRail's two new rail-enabled Cook Strait ferries arriving 2029, alongside fleet modernization, a 39-year commercial agreement with StraitNZ Bluebridge (to 2064), and expansion into aquaculture logistics. Certifications include ISO 14001-aligned environmental management, International Clean Marina across all three marinas, GRI sustainability reporting, and Maritime Security Act 2004 compliance. Port Marlborough employs approximately 102 staff across port, marina, and marine services operations.

Name

Port Marlborough

Legal name

Port Marlborough New Zealand

Website

https://portmarlborough.co.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Port Marlborough is a council-owned New Zealand port operator headquartered in Picton, serving as the South Island terminal for Cook Strait inter-island ferries, cruise ships, log exports, commercial shipping, and marina users across the Marlborough Sounds.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Port Operations and Maritime Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883), Marine Cargo Handling (488320), Marinas (713930), Port and Harbor Operations (488310)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Terminal Cargo Handling & Yard Operations (Receiving, Staging, Delivery) (TLAHALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Terminal & Shipyard Towage (Intra-Port/Facility Moves) (TLAHAHAI), Ferry Terminal, Port & Passenger Handling Services (THAEAGAJ), Stevedoring & Vessel Loading/Discharging (Ship-to-Shore Operations) (TLAHALAA)

Keywords

• Port operations services
• Marine towage pilotage
• Marina management services
• Cargo handling logistics
• Ferry terminal operations

Headquarters

HQ city

Timaru

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Port Services and Berthing: Revenue from vessel berthing, pilotage, towage, and harbour support services. Port handles over 3,000 commercial vessel visits annually including ferries, cruise ships, and cargo vessels.
2. Cargo Handling: Revenue from log exports and general cargo handling operations. Port handles over 1.2 million tonnes of cargo annually and 809,699 JAS logs exported.
3. Marina Operations: Revenue from marina facilities through subsidiary Marlborough Sounds Marinas, one of the largest marina businesses in the Southern Hemisphere with 2,060 marina facilities.
4. Rental and Property: Revenue from commercial tenancy and property leases at port facilities including Westshore Warehouse for aquaculture industry.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Port Marlborough provides port operations and marine services in and around Picton and Havelock at the heads of Queen Charlotte and Pelorus Sounds, including pilotage, towage, berthing, cargo handling, and marina services. It operates two commercial wharves (Waitohi Wharf for roll-on-roll-off ferries and Waimahara Wharf for log exports and cruise ships), a modernized ASD tug fleet, and one of the largest marina businesses in the Southern Hemisphere through its subsidiary Marlborough Sounds Marinas. The port handles over 1.2 million tonnes of cargo annually and serves as the South Island terminal for New Zealand's inter-island ferry connection.

Product overview

Port Marlborough is a multi-faceted port operations company offering integrated maritime infrastructure and services. The core portfolio includes two commercial wharves (Waimahara Wharf for cargo/log exports and cruise ships, and Waitohi Wharf for roll-on-roll-off ferries), modernized towage fleet (Kaiana and Kaiaua tugs), pilot vessel services, and fixed crane operations across multiple locations. The company operates Marlborough Sounds Marinas as a subsidiary (one of the largest marina networks in the Southern Hemisphere), maintains environmental management systems aligned with ISO 14001, and operates specialized facilities including the Shakespeare Bay logyard and Westshore Warehouse for aquaculture logistics. The port serves as South Island terminal for New Zealand's inter-island ferry connection (State Highway 1) and handles over 1.2 million tonnes of cargo annually, supporting industries including forestry exports, aquaculture, cruise tourism, and recreational boating.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Waitohi Wharf Berthing Services General-purpose finger wharf in Picton Harbour predominantly used by roll-on-roll-off vessels, small cruise ships, fishing and cement vessels. Features 240m length, 20m width, max draft 8.0-10.0m, and accommodates vessels up to 245m LOA. Primary berthing service for commercial ferry operators including StraitNZ Bluebridge.
• Waimahara Wharf Berthing Services Multi-purpose berth in Shakespeare Bay predominantly used for log exports and large cruise ships. Features 200m length, 13.5m max draft, accommodates vessels up to 350m LOA, with 10 hectares of quayside storage. Service for cargo exporters and cruise lines.
• Kaiana Towage Service Damen 21-11 Azimuth Stern Drive Harbour Tug offering 50-ton bollard pull towage service. Features propulsion units aft with winch capable of towing over bow or stern. Main tow line: 159t MBL 80mm braided line with 20-metre 204t MBL pennant. Service for commercial vessels requiring harbour towage assistance.
• Kaiaua Towage Service Damen 23-12 Azimuth Stern Drive Harbour Tug offering 70-72 ton bollard pull towage service at 23 metres length. Features Twin Fin skeg, MARPOL Tier III compliant engines, and flexibility to run on alternative fuels. Main tow line: 288t MBL 60mm braided line with 20-metre 204t MBL pennant. Service for commercial vessels requiring harbour towage assistance.
• Pilotage Service Compulsory pilotage service for commercial vessels entering Picton Harbour, with pilot transfers at Position Alpha (41 04.620S, 174 18.920 E) using Pilot Vessel Endeavour with cruising speed 17 knots and maximum speed 26 knots. Service for commercial vessel operators subject to compulsory pilotage requirements.
• Marlborough Sounds Marinas - Marina Berthing Services Marina berthing and related services across Picton, Havelock, Waikawa, and remote Marlborough Sounds locations. One of the largest marina businesses in the Southern Hemisphere with 2,060 facilities. All three marinas (Picton, Havelock, Waikawa) hold International Clean Marina certification. Service for recreational boaters and commercial vessel owners.
• Westshore Warehouse Storage Services 3,200sqm purpose-built warehouse storage and logistics facility at Waitohi Picton serving aquaculture and seafood industries. Primary function is centralized fish feed storage for New Zealand King Salmon and open ocean farm Blue Endeavour, reducing feed transport mileage by over 90%. Service for aquaculture operators and seafood exporters.
• Shakespeare Bay Logyard Cargo Handling Services Log export handling facility at Shakespeare Bay featuring award-winning roller compacted concrete (RCC) upgrade with 50 percent reduction in embodied carbon and eliminated construction waste. Service for forestry exporters and log cargo operators handling 809,699 JAS logs exported in FY25.
• Port Access Card Service Port user identification and access management system. Cards valid as proof of identity under Maritime Security Act 2004. Health & Safety inductions valid for 2 years. NZD $50 fee including GST. Service for port users, visitors, operators, and contractors requiring port access.
• Fixed Crane Services Fixed crane services for commercial users at Fishermans Wharf (Picton Marina), Pokiki and Sanford Wharves (Havelock), Elaine Bay, and Oyster Bay. Service for commercial vessel operators and marina users requiring lifting services.

Quantifiable outcome

• Waste diversion rate >70% from landfill achieved
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• StraitNZ BluebridgecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 February 202639-year commercial agreement securing StraitNZ's Cook Strait ferry services through Waitohi Picton to 2064. Provides long-term certainty for StraitNZ operations and enables coordinated planning for freight and passenger services across Cook Strait.
• Ferry Holdings LimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInterim Development Agreement (IDA) signed unlocking next phase of Waitohi Ferry Redevelopment. Partnership enables transition works to proceed and represents shared commitment to ferry project delivery.
• KiwiRailcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKiwiRail confirmed as operator of two new Cook Strait rail ferries (Kupe and Cook) arriving 2029. Government programme capped at $1.7 billion taxpayer funding.
• New Zealand King SalmoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term service contract with Westshore Warehouse for salmon feed storage. 3,200sqm purpose-built facility reduces feed transport mileage by over 90%. Supports marine operations including new Blue Endeavour open ocean farm.
• Waikawa Fishing CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMāori-owned deep-sea crab industry tenant at Westshore Warehouse. Pioneering New Zealand's deep-sea crab industry with live export logistics.
• Damen ShipyardscoreTechnology or IntegrationShipbuilder for ASD tugs Kaiana (2024) and Kaiaua (2026). Kaiana is 50-ton bollard pull Damen 2111; Kaiaua is 70-ton bollard pull Damen 2312. Both vessels feature patented Twin Fin skeg technology.
• HEB ConstructioncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMain contractor for Waitohi Ferry Redevelopment Project. Currently undertaking demolition of Vehicle Access Bridge and linkspan removal. 90% of materials being diverted from landfill.
• Total ElectrixminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerElectrical contractor for transformer and switch room relocation as part of ferry project works. Worked with Marlborough Lines and CMT Contracting on power infrastructure.
• Te Ātiawa o Te Waka-a-MāuicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIwi partner with significant involvement in ferry project and port operations. Gifted cultural names Kaiana and Kaiaua for tugs. Involved in avian monitoring and environmental restoration projects. Participated in ministerial visits and project announcements.
• Guangzhou Shipyard InternationalcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerShipyard constructing new Cook Strait ferries Kupe and Cook. Fixed price contract with construction beginning 2027 and delivery expected 2029.
• Waka Kotahi NZ Transport AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment agency progressing new Dublin Street overbridge to improve safety and efficiency by separating road and rail movements. Partner in Cook Strait Ferry Replacement Programme.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Port Marlborough