Write a commentHistory was made this morning for Newry based MJM Group, when crusie ship Azamara Pursuit sailed into Belfast for a massive refit by the firm. The work which will be carried out at Harland and Wolff involves complete interior refurbishment of the Royal Caribbean Cruise vessel.
It's an unprecedented, potential game changer both for MJM Group and the global cruise ship industry, as it represents the first time a cruise ship owner has awarded complete project management responsibility to an individual organisation. It is also the largest project of its kind in many years in a UK port and offers the opportunity to reinvigorate the ship building and repair industry in Belfast.
Gary Annett, CEO, MJM Group said, “We are delighted to welcome the Azamara Pursuit safely to Belfast following its two-week journey from the Bahamas. Watching her berth at Harland and Wolff is the fulfilment of long held ambition of MJM Group founder and Chair Brian McConville to bring a project of this scale to Belfast. This truly is historic not just for MJM Group but for the marine industry and there is a real sense that the eyes of the marine world are firmly on us and on Northern Ireland.
“This has the potential to open up Belfast for further work of this scale and to offer a major boost to the local economy. At any given time in the next couple of months there may be up to 800 of our people and crew working on the ship. We want all of these people, if they are not familiar with this part of the world, to experience some of what Northern Ireland and Belfast has to offer.”
Richard Twynam, Azamara Club Cruises Managing Director, UK and Ireland spoke of his delight at the refit taking place at Harland and Wolff in Belfast.
Jonathan Guest, Director, Business Development & Improvement, Harland & Wolff said, “We are delighted to be working with MJM Group in providing the berthing, support and other services for this fantastic project. We are all acutely aware of Belfast’s rich maritime history and it is great to be part of providing a major boost for this traditional industry here today.”
The Azamara Pursuit will be docked in Belfast for several months while the full refit is carried out and will then sail for to Southampton at the end of July ahead of its 'Newry' refurbished maiden voyage from Southampton to Norway on 1 August 2018.
