MB92 La Ciotat, a leading French superyacht refit shipyard, has announced that a major milestone has been reached in the construction of its shiplift platform, maintaining the shipyard’s schedule for the opening of the facility as planned this autumn for yachts up to 115 metres (377 feet) in length.

Following the delivery last summer of the main elements of the structure and nine months of engineering work on site, the Matière-Bardex team have now completed the complex task of assembling and moving the lifting platform to its final position. At 100 metres (328 feet) in length, equivalent to a football pitch, and 20 metres (65 feet) wide, the platform weighs 1,100 tonnes and required a team of 20 people and three hours to carry out the exceptional manoeuvre of moving the shiplift structure. It took a further two days for the final installation in the concrete recess.

The innovative Bardex lifting system, which includes 20 chain jacks, is now being installed, and features a hydraulic ram and chain system expressly designed to increase safety and reduce maintenance.

Mathieu Bauden, facilities director at MB92 La Ciotat, has been overseeing the project since its inception at the end of 2018. “This is a key stage in the delivery of the 4,300t platform, which leaves us well positioned as we enter the final six months of the project. The next important steps are the delivery of the control building, the installation of all energy networks, reception of the transfer system, the cradles and final testing followed by certification by Lloyds this summer,” he said.

Vincent Escallier, commercial director of MB92 La Ciotat, added, “We are all looking forward to the imminent opening of our new facility and this latest accomplishment brings us one step closer. It’s an extraordinary piece of infrastructure that complements the wide range of lifting options available to clients of our shipyard.”

The platform's docks have been equipped with a biomimetic solution supplied by the company Seaboost. Based on the complex structure of Posidonia seagrass, this solution creates an effective, integrated and safe environment that will encourage the reproduction of local marine species.

In addition to the nursery, La Ciotat Shipyards, the local port authority, has administered an exemplary project, implementing numerous environmental measures during the construction phase such as soil decontamination, reuse of materials on site, installation of a double bubble curtain and anti-sediment curtains to protect cetaceans and water quality.

For more information, visit MB92.

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