The Atlantic Refit Center in France has earned a reputation for servicing superyachts. In fact, being in La Rochelle, it’s the only option on the country’s Atlantic Coast. The specialist company Compositeworks believes it can bolster business there. It’s therefore taking over the two drydocks.
The drydocks measure 351 feet (107 meters) and 577 feet (176 meters) in length. Among the complex projects tackled by Atlantic Refit Center: the conversion of Enigma XK. Overall, the facility has the capacity to handle yachts to 492 feet (150 meters). Compositeworks sees these facts complementing the work it’s been doing since 1998. It’s worked on more than 800 projects, including more than 25 percent of megayachts measuring 279 feet (85 meters) and up.
Compositeworks performed a number of these maintenance and refit projects at La Ciotat Shipyards, located in La Ciotat, France. However, the company that manages that site awarded a 35-month contract for the drydocks to Blohm+Voss to operate it, starting this November. Compositeworks is maintaining a presence there and in Marseille, however. In Marseille, it has worked on megayachts measuring up to 459 feet (140 meters). In related news, a few drydocks up to about 1,050 feet overall (320 meters) in Marseille are now at Compositeworks’ disposal. And, it retains an international craftsperson team comprised of more than 100 people.
Furthermore, Compositeworks plans to cover the larger of the two drydocks in La Rochelle. Design plans for the hangar are complete. Construction should wrap up by September 2018.
“We are very pleased today to be able to offer our clients more options for where they can receive a CW refit,” says Ben Mennem, CEO of Compositeworks. “We strongly believe we can bring our exceptional service and technical know-how to La Rochelle, who over the past 10 years have already developed an excellent reputation for superyacht conversions and paintwork.” Stéphane Marcelli, director of the La Rochelle site, says that local subcontractors are already speaking with the Compositeworks team about collaborating. “Our knowledge and experience of major conversion projects, such as the award-winning refit on Enigma XK, fits well with the increasing demand for a more technical approach and state-of-the-art facilities,” Marcelli adds.
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