The acquisition of the interiors factory, which manufactures interiors for everything from superyachts to warships to luxury residences, was just part of its Port Rd growth.
"Marine interiors are often an important part of our projects at the shipyard and with the opening next month of the Port Whangarei Marine Centre we see this requirement growing."
He said the backbone of the company was its gifted design team and a workforce experienced in travelling to all corners of the world for fit-outs.
SMI principle Grant Willis was committed to marine projects in Croatia and had decided to remain. Doug Black has been appointed general manager of SMI's operations, which have been incorporated into Oceania Marine Group.
The newly acquired company is already working on a large-scale interior project for an Oceania Marine job at Refit Shed C in the north shipyard.
Meanwhile, the new 100T travelift has arrived at the Port Whangarei Marine Centre, where Oceania Marine is expanding its workspace.
The MBH100 Cimolai travelift will be located at South Shipyard on Port Rd and can lift the large range of craft to be handled at the Port Whangarei Marine Centre, such as yachts or wide-beam craft such as catamarans up to 10m beam.
A technician from Cimolai in Italy was on his way to Whangarei to oversee the assembly, certification and commissioning processes of the lift.
The hardstand and facilities upgrade on the site, which was being managed by Brad Hall, was almost complete too.
Mr Gleeson was on his way back to Northland from the Monaco Yacht Show, where details of the new 560T travelift were being finalised, with an order for delivery for that project, expected be in motion before the start of the 2016 season.
Tankers for fuel-ferrying
Two new tanker vessels will join the floating workforce carrying petroleum products from Refining NZ at Marsden Point to New Zealand's ports.
Chartered by Coastal Oil Logistics Limited (COLL), the new South Korean-built vessels will carry products on behalf of its shareholders BP Oil New Zealand, Chevron New Zealand, Mobil Oil New Zealand and Z Energy.
They will replace Torea and Kakariki, COLL's current tankers, which have been operating for eight and 17 years respectively.
The Torea's replacement is a 50,000 deadweight (dwt) tonne products tanker and due to begin in February 2016.
Meanwhile, the Kakariki replacement is a 50,000 dwt products/bitumen tanker, owned by ASP Ship Management Group, and due to begin service in June 2017.
Both ships are being constructed at SPP Ship Building Co Ltd yard in Sacheon, South Korea.
The yard specialises in designing and constructing oil tankers.
COLL chief executive Jon Kelly said the new vessels were more fuel efficient than the older vessels, with less emissions.
The vessels will be time chartered into COLL from Silver Fern Shipping Limited, the New Zealand subsidiary of ASP Ship Management Group.
CEO of ASP Ship Management Group, David Borcoski, said: "ASP understands well the importance of the coastal petroleum distribution task to New Zealand and is pleased to provide these long term vessels for COLL and its shareholders and to continue our long standing relationship."
