Carina Ulixis buys a new shipyard in Port Leucate
A new shipyard is being built in Port Leucate. The company Carina Ulixis is currently building an industrial building 19 metres wide, 32 metres long and 9.5 metres high on the technical area of the Mediterranean port. "800,000 euros are being invested in this communal area, in a mixed steel and container structure. With a door 8.05 metres high, 14 metres wide and 29 metres long inside the building, we are going to be able to work on catamarans of beautiful dimensions," enthuses Pascal Pouplier, founder of the shipyard. The first multihulls should be welcomed under the nave at the end of February 2021.
Leucate's willingness to support the nautical company
After 17 years at the Catana shipyard, of which he was the director, in the nearby town of Canet-en-Roussillon, Pascal Pouplier created Carina Ulixis in 2016. After having completely refitted 3 Catana catamarans, he started to rent boats on a long term basis. "But I quickly missed the call of the shipyard and I modified a little the company's project to launch a shipyard dedicated to catamaran refit. Leucate was a godsend for me. I found a port with land surface and a very available and dynamic town hall" says the founder of Carina Ulixis.
To meet the specific handling needs of catamarans, the company has obtained a public service delegation for boats over 6.60 metres wide, the limit of the existing Tavelift. "We have ordered a Parklev trailer up to 31 tonnes, which should arrive at the beginning of February," explains Pascal Pouplier.
The shipyard also has a 30 year old amodiation for 4 berths in the harbour.
Hiring and continuation of work in the line of sight
The company currently employs 5 employees and intends to hire quickly, subject to developments in the health crisis. "We manage all the trades internally, except for mechanics and part of the electricity, which is outsourced. A permit has also been filed for an additional building of 150 m² at the end of summer 2020 to set up a workshop dedicated to stainless steel" concludes Carina Ulixis' manager optimistically.
