Australia’s marine industry milestone, the Gold Coast City Marina & Shipyard (GCCM), is celebrating 25 years of redefining vessel refit and repair services. From humble beginnings on former Coomera farmland, GCCM has grown into a world-class hub, attracting vessels from around the globe and anchoring the Gold Coast’s status as Australia’s marine capital.
Launched in 2000, GCCM was the first major marina development in the now-thriving Coomera marine precinct. Founded by the Gay family in partnership with the Leigh-Smiths, the shipyard has since remained under the stewardship of the Gays. Their leadership has helped drive significant reforms and recognition for Australia’s marine sector, including changes to federal legislation that allowed foreign-flagged vessels to charter in Australian waters and efforts to secure customs clearance capabilities for the Gold Coast.
CEO Trenton Gay highlighted GCCM’s international reputation, noting its five Gold Anchor global accreditations and its recognition as Australia’s most awarded shipyard. “Our family is immensely proud of how GCCM revolutionised boat maintenance,” he said. “People once thought the idea was crazy, but now we’re servicing everything from jet skis to 200-foot superyachts.”
Today, GCCM hosts over 90 leading marine businesses employing more than 700 contractors. Its one-stop-shop model for refit and repair has attracted international clients from the U.S., Europe, and the Asia-Pacific.
Chairman Pat Gay AM, who co-led the Gold Coast Waterways Authority and oversaw the construction of the Gold Coast Seaway, recalled the original vision: “We believed if we built it, they would come. Our goal was to create the biggest and best shipyard in the country, and we achieved that in our first year.”
GCCM has become more than a shipyard—it’s a vibrant business community and an economic powerhouse. According to Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate, “These facilities have been key to expanding our marine industry, which now contributes $1.2 billion to the local economy and supports over 5,000 jobs. The motto could be: dream big and deliver the best.”
Looking ahead, GCCM is expanding with the development of the adjacent 20-hectare TITAN Yard. First acquired in 2008, the land is now central to GCCM’s vision for future growth.
“Our goal is to take the industry to the next level,” said Trent Gay. “TITAN Yard will be a game-changer for the Gold Coast and the broader marine sector in Australia.”
Stage one of the project, expected to be completed by April 2026, includes 20,000m² of showroom, warehouse, and factory space. Once completed, TITAN Yard will accommodate vessels up to 75 meters on hardstand, with 100-meter refit sheds and lift capacities starting at 820 tons. Future development will increase lift capacity to 1,800 tons and support superyacht and custom yacht building at a world-class scale.
As GCCM celebrates its 25th anniversary, it continues to set sail toward a bold and ambitious future.
www.gccm.com.au
