Marine Engineering
Maintenance, innovation & safety
Ensuring vessels, aquaculture structures, and marine infrastructure operate at peak performance. Our skilled team specialise in maintenance, fabrication, machine shop services, and certified pipe welding – keeping your operations running 24/7. Whether it’s planned maintenance, emergency repairs, or custom fabrication, we provide tailored solutions for deep-sea and coastal fishery operations, aquaculture, and marine transport. With a fully equipped workshop in Nelson and mobile teams available nationwide, we offer precision engineering, rapid response, and innovative design to support the marine industry’s evolving needs.
Marine Engineering
Overview: Marine engineering focuses on the maintenance, repair, fabrication, and innovation of mechanical systems and structures used in vessels, marine infrastructure, and aquaculture equipment. This work is essential to ensure the performance, safety, and longevity of marine operations.
How we deliver: Based in Nelson — one of New Zealand’s key marine industry hubs — Kernohan Engineering has decades of experience supporting commercial vessels, fishing fleets, aquaculture operations, and port infrastructure. Our services cover both in-port and on-vessel work, with teams capable of responding quickly to urgent marine needs. Our skilled team specialise in maintenance, fabrication, machine shop services, and certified pipe fabrication and welding—keeping your operations running 24/7.
Our capabilities include:
Mechanical repairs and overhaul of marine systems
Custom fabrication of winches, chutes, and onboard equipment
Steel work, hull repairs, damage repairs, corrosion control, structural boat repair, base foundation
Refits, upgrades, and vessel modifications
Shaft straightening, bearing replacements, hydraulic systems, component replacement and pump rebuilds
Stainless and alloy fabrication for saltwater environments
Project management of large marine maintenance programs
Value to your business:
Skilled marine technicians with local and offshore experience
Custom solutions built for harsh marine conditions
Fast response for breakdowns and port turnarounds
Integrated services: fabrication, machining, and design in one place
Industries we serve: Commercial fishing, aquaculture, shipping, offshore support, harbour services, and recreational vessels.
Marine innovation
Overview: Marine innovation involves the development and customization of new technologies, systems, and components that enhance the efficiency, safety, and environmental performance of marine operations. This includes creative engineering solutions tailored to the evolving needs of the commercial and aquaculture sectors.
How we deliver: Kernohan Engineering works closely with vessel owners, aquaculture companies, and port operators to design and implement innovative marine equipment and systems. Our in-house design, fabrication, and machining capabilities allow them to take an idea from concept to reality — whether it's solving a unique operational challenge or improving an existing setup.
Our capabilities include:
Custom-designed marine systems and machinery
Prototyping and testing of new marine components
Fabrication of scientific components for use in monitoring and data collection
Out of the box thinking drawing on a wide range of experience to deliver solutions
Collaborative design with skippers, engineers, and scientists
Value to your business:
Tailored solutions that directly address operational challenges
Practical support and fabrication to bring ideas from the design stage to reality and implementation
Local support for trial, testing, and iterative improvement
Industries we serve: Commercial fishing, mussel and salmon farming, offshore services, marine logistics, scientific research and port operations — especially those looking to stay ahead with smarter, more adaptable systems.
Solving problems that matter.
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Marine engineering related projects
