News Story: Damen Team Heads to Australia for Navy Bid

Damen Shipyards Group has sent a high level delegation to meet with key members of the Australian shipbuilding industry as part of its tender for the design and construction of 12 Offshore Patrol Vessels for the Royal Australian Navy.

Damen, as one of the three designers competing for the OPV program, is fully committed to consolidating their commitment to Australia. Approaching the delivery of their 100th vessel to the Australian market, Damen has built more than 6,000 vessels, with close to 1,000 of these constructed with partner shipbuilders from all over the globe. Damen, who will be the prime contractor with responsibility for the delivery of the 12 ships has teamed with ASC Forgacs Shipbuilding, a joint venture established to build two ships in South Australia and 10 in Western Australia.

The Damen team comprises Damen CEO René Berkvens, Area Director Asia Pacific Roland Briene and Director Procurement Jacob Biemond. They have been joined by a number of Dutch companies and their Australian partners as they seek to secure the highest levels of Australian content for the new OPVs. 

Read the full story at MarEx

Industry: ASC Shipbuilding welcomes OPV bid partners Lürssen and Forgacs to Techport for the first time

ASC Shipbuilding today welcomed to Adelaide Peter Lürssen, the head of the German warship designer in the running to launch Australia’s next major shipbuilding program – the Offshore Patrol Vessel project – in Adelaide from 2018.

Joining Mr Lürssen in Adelaide for a media conference (see alert) will be Jim Fitzgerald, Executive Chairman of Forgacs Marine & Defence of Perth (owned by Civmec). Last month ASC Shipbuilding announced a partnership with Forgacs to offer a low risk, commercial shipbuilding solution for the OPV program to two design tenderers – Lürssen of Germany and Damen of the Netherlands.

“As the builder of Australia’s most advanced surface combatants – the Air Warfare Destroyers – ASC Shipbuilding is delighted to welcome Mr Lürssen and Mr Fitzgerald to Techport, where the first Offshore Patrol Vessels will be built from next year,” Mr Lamarre said.

Industry: Damen Shipyards Group submits tender for Australian OPV

Damen Shipyards Group has submitted a tender for the SEA 1180 Phase 1 Project to deliver twelve Offshore Patrol Vessels to the Royal Australian Navy. To demonstrate its commitment to on time and within specification delivery Damen submitted its response early.

Damen has teamed with ASC Forgacs Shipbuilding, a joint venture established to build the initial two ships in South Australia and further 10 in Western Australia, to compete for the foundation project of Australia’s continuous Naval shipbuilding enterprise. The joint venture is already investing in infrastructure at the Henderson Shipbuilding Precinct in Western Australia in preparation for the OPV construction to move to WA.

Damen, with almost 100 vessels operating in Australia already, has extensive experience providing vessels that are suitable for local conditions and is fully committed to the long-term integration with Australian Shipbuilding. Key tenets of the bid include maximising investment in local industries and businesses to establish a long term capability; investment in the training of a future workforce including those transitioning from other industries; and assisting the Australian Government to prepare to build future frigates and submarines in SA. The proven Damen design being offered uses innovative technology to improve seakeeping, reduce running costs and decrease whole of life sustainment costs.

Roland Briene, Damen Sales Director Asia Pacific, said: “We are fully committed to maximising Australian industry participation and supporting the development of a sustainable, national shipbuilding industry in Australia. This is fully in line with our standard practices where we partner with local organisations to help transform local shipbuilding industries into globally competitive shipyards. We look forward to working with the Commonwealth to maximise opportunities for Australian industry, drawing on the existing supply chain of our Australian partners, while also providing opportunities for local industry to be involved in our global supply chain supporting more than 70 shipyards around the world.”

Damen

Industry: CIVMEC and ASC shipbuilding join forces for Australian Defence programs

SINGAPORE – 20 March 2017 – Australia-based Civmec Ltd (“Civmec” or the “Group”), through its wholly owned subsidiary, Forgacs Marine and Defence Pty Ltd (“Forgacs”), today announced it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with ASC Shipbuilding Pty Ltd (“ASC Shipbuilding”) to jointly bid for the build of 12 Offshore Patrol Vessels (“OPVs”) for the Royal Australian Navy (“RAN”). 

ASC Shipbuilding and Forgacs were jointly chosen by two of the three shortlisted designers to work with them on the tender for the Commonwealth Government’s OPV program, known as Project SEA 1180. B.V. Scheepswerf Damen Gorinchem of the Netherlands and Lürssen Werft GmbH & Co. KG of Germany are two of the shortlisted designers. ASC Shipbuilding and Forgacs will work with both companies on their bids for Project SEA 1180 and also to explore opportunities to build other Minor War Vessels for the RAN and export markets.

Industry: Damen SEA 1180 OPV Roadshow tours Australia

Industry briefings provide the pathway to maximising Australian Industry content

Damen Shipyard Group’s Australian team has delivered two more industry briefings to potential suppliers from Australian industry ahead of its bid submission for the design and build of 12 Offshore Patrol Vessels. Following the success of February’s events held in Adelaide and Perth, Damen hosted a third in Brisbane on March 15 and a fourth two days later in Melbourne.

The Damen group is one of three international shipbuilders shortlisted for the building of the 12 steel-hulled OPVs to replace Australia’s current fleet of Armidale Class patrol boats. One of the requirements of the tender process is that the bidders partner with local shipyards and maximise local industry participation. Two of the new OPVs will be built in South Australia, and the remaining 10 in Western Australia.

The two most recent briefings, led by Mark Todd, Damen’s Australian Representative, were conducted with the main objective to meet face-to-face with local suppliers and provide a direct path to Damen’s supply chain for the project. For Damen, the briefings provided the opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge of the suppliers and their products in the different localities. At the same time, the suppliers were briefed on the criteria that Damen uses to select local partners and gained a better understanding of Damen’s approach to maximising Australian industry.

Industry: Forgacs unveils plans for mega world-class shipbuilding facility

Civmec Limited (“Civmec” or the “Group”) through its wholly owned subsidiary Forgacs Marine and Defence Pty Ltd will today unveil plans for its new state-of-the-art shipbuilding facility primarily targeted at Naval Defence projects, at a ground-breaking ceremony today officiated by, the Honourable Colin Barnett, the Premier of Western Australia (“WA”).

The heavy engineering specialist is positioning itself for participation in Australia’s A$89 billion (S$94 billion) naval ship and submarine upgrading program, which forms part of the Australian government’s projected A$195 billion (S$207 billion) overall defence investment over the decade from now until 2025-26*. The new facility in Henderson will rival the best shipyards in the world and is part of Forgacs goal to enhance Australia’s profile as a globally efficient naval ship builder.

The facility will be able to house ship construction and on-going maintenance under cover in a conducive and efficient environment close to Fleet Base West – the home of Australia’s submarine force and half of its naval surface fleet. It will be the only facility with this capacity in Australia.

AUS: Shipbuilding industry still without certainty from government

THE HON SENATOR KIM CARR

SHADOW MINISTER FOR HIGHER EDUCATION, RESEARCH, INNOVATION AND INDUSTRY

SENATOR FOR VICTORIA

DAVID FEENEY MP

SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR DEFENCE

SHADOW MINISTER FOR VETERANS’ AFFAIRS

SHADOW MINISTER FOR THE CENTENARY OF ANZAC

SHADOW MINISTER FOR JUSTICE

MEMBER FOR BATMAN

SHIPBUILDING INDUSTRY STILL WITHOUT CERTAINTY FROM GOVERNMENT

Labor welcomes the Liberal Government’s announcement that shipbuilder Navantia will bring its experience and new management to the Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) Project.

Labor has long supported the AWD Project, which to date is the nation’s most complex and largest defence project.

The AWD Project started under the Howard Government in 2005, with the former Labor Government making concerted efforts to fix schedule and management issues within the project.

While the Liberal Government continues to announce remediation strategies for the AWD project, the key paper which should inform such strategies, the Winter Review, still remains a secret.

AUS: Shipyard visit by Tonga’s Chief of Defence Staff - Australia’s gift to the Kingdom of Tonga undergoing sea trials

Shipyard visit by Tonga’s Chief of Defence Staff

Today Head Maritime Systems Rear Admiral Mark Purcell hosted Chief of Defence Staff, His Majesty’s Armed Forces, Tonga Brigadier Lord Fielakepa, at the Forgacs Shipyards in Newcastle, to view a just completed landing craft that will join the Tongan Naval Component next month.

The Australian Government is gifting the new Landing Craft Medium, worth approximately $5 million, to the Kingdom of Tonga as part of our Defence Cooperation Program.

Delivery of this vessel will mark a significant milestone in Australia’s Defence relationship with Tonga.

Tonga is an important security partner in the region, and this important initiative will enhance Tonga’s maritime capacity to reach its outer islands.

AUS: Senate report exposes Abbotts mismanagement of Australian shipbuilding

SENATOR THE HON STEPHEN CONROY

DEPUTY LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION IN THE SENATE

SHADOW MINISTER FOR DEFENCE

LABOR SENATOR FOR VICTORIA

SENATOR THE HON KIM CARR

SHADOW MINISTER FOR HIGHER EDUCATION, RESEARCH, INNOVATION AND INDUSTRY

SENATOR FOR VICTORIA

THE HON DAVID FEENEY MP

SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR DEFENCE

SHADOW MINISTER FOR VETERANS’ AFFAIRS

SHADOW MINISTER FOR THE CENTENARY OF ANZAC

SHADOW MINISTER FOR JUSTICE

MEMBER FOR BATMAN

SENATE REPORT EXPOSES ABBOTT’S MISMANAGEMENT OF AUSTRALIAN SHIPBUILDING

Today’s report by the Senate Economics References Committee on Australia’s shipbuilding industry adds to overwhelming evidence that the Abbott Government’s mismanagement is sinking the industry and putting highly skilled Australians out of work.

After almost two years in power, the Abbott Government has failed to ensure meaningful work for Australian shipyards and their workers. At the same time, it has happily sent work overseas.

Labor’s Shadow Minister for Defence Senator Stephen Conroy called on the Government to heed the report’s findings and take urgent action to save Australia’s strategically vital shipbuilding industry.

AUS: Australian shipbuilder votes no confidence in government

MEDIA RELEASE

SENATOR THE HON STEPHEN CONROY

DEPUTY LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION IN THE SENATE

SHADOW MINISTER FOR DEFENCE

LABOR SENATOR FOR VICTORIA

SENATOR THE HON KIM CARR

SHADOW MINISTER FOR HIGHER EDUCATION, RESEARCH, INNOVATION AND INDUSTRY

SENATOR FOR VICTORIA

THE HON DAVID FEENEY MP

SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR DEFENCE

SHADOW MINISTER FOR VETERANS’ AFFAIRS

SHADOW MINISTER FOR THE CENTENARY OF ANZAC

SHADOW MINISTER FOR JUSTICE

MEMBER FOR BATMAN

TIM WATTS MP

FEDERAL MEMBER FOR GELLIBRAND

AUSTRALIAN SHIPBUILDER VOTES ‘NO CONFIDENCE’ IN GOVERNMENT

Labor is concerned by reports that BAE Australia has decided not to respond to the Abbott Government’s Request for Tender for the replacement of the Pacific Patrol Boat.

This is another blow to Australia’s shipbuilding industry.

The company cited, in an internal message to staff this morning, the Abbott Government’s timing of the program as the ‘biggest challenge facing the Maritime business.’

AUS: Advisory panel cannot save sham subs process

SENATOR THE HON STEPHEN CONROY

DEPUTY LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION IN THE SENATE

SHADOW MINISTER FOR DEFENCE

LABOR SENATOR FOR VICTORIA

THE HON DAVID FEENEY MP

SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR DEFENCE

SHADOW MINISTER FOR VETERANS’ AFFAIRS

SHADOW MINISTER FOR THE CENTENARY OF ANZAC

SHADOW MINISTER FOR JUSTICE

MEMBER FOR BATMAN

ADVISORY PANEL CANNOT SAVE SHAM SUBS PROCESS

Today’s announcement by the Abbott Government of an expert advisory panel to oversee its sham Competitive Evaluation Process for Australia’s Future Submarines is too little and too late.

If Tony Abbott was interested in expert advice, he would have sought formal written advice from the Department of Defence before announcing his Competitive Evaluation Process.

But he didn’t.

AUS: Australia's future Submarine project reaches crisis point

SENATOR THE HON PENNY WONG

LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION IN THE SENATE

SHADOW MINISTER FOR TRADE AND INVESTMENT

LABOR SENATOR FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIA

SENATOR THE HON STEPHEN CONROY

DEPUTY LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION IN THE SENATE

SHADOW MINISTER FOR DEFENCE

LABOR SENATOR FOR VICTORIA

THE HON DAVID FEENEY MP

SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR DEFENCE

SHADOW MINISTER FOR VETERANS’ AFFAIRS

SHADOW MINISTER FOR THE CENTENARY OF ANZAC

SHADOW MINISTER FOR JUSTICE

MEMBER FOR BATMAN

AUSTRALIA’S FUTURE SUBMARINE PROJECT REACHES CRISIS POINT

Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane has plunged Australia’s Future Submarine Project into chaos.

Minister Macfarlane has finally admitted that, under the Abbott Government, South Australia “may not build the first few” submarines.

The Coalition made an election promise to build 12 submarines in South Australia.

Since the election Tony Abbott has broken this promise and crab-walked away from his commitment to South Australians.

AUS: Launch of the first Air Warfare Destroyer

The first AWD Hobart being moved ready for launch.

In an important milestone for the Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) program, the first of three destroyers, Hobart, was launched alongside the Port River wharf in Adelaide today.

This is a key achievement for the program and a big step towards the delivery of three highly capable warships to the Royal Australian Navy.

I am pleased to see the progress since my visit to Techport Australia earlier this year, when I saw Hobart fully consolidated with substantial combat and platform systems installed.

I have also had the opportunity to walk through the second destroyer Brisbane — now in an advanced state of fit-out with more than half of the blocks already consolidated on the hardstand.

AUS: Abbott Liberal Government to blame for more Newcastle shipbuilding workers losing their jobs

DAVID FEENEY MP

SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR DEFENCE

SHADOW MINISTER FOR VETERANS’ AFFAIRS

SHADOW MINISTER FOR THE CENTENARY OF ANZAC

SHADOW MINISTER FOR JUSTICE

MEMBER FOR BATMAN

SHARON CLAYDON MP

FEDERAL MEMBER FOR NEWCASTLE

MEDIA RELEASE

ABBOTT LIBERAL GOVERNMENT TO BLAME FOR MORE NEWCASTLE SHIPBUILDING WORKERS LOSING THEIR JOBS

The Abbott Liberal Government’s lack of leadership in the defence industry has led to the loss of another 130 Newcastle shipbuilding jobs at Forgacs.

The Abbott Government has done nothing to support our strategically vital shipbuilding industry since being elected 18 months ago.

AUS: Advisers appointed for Air Warfare Destroyer Program Reform Strategy

Spain's F100; Design base for Australia's AWD 

The Government has taken the next step to put the Air Warfare Destroyer Program back on track with the appointment of key expert advisers to assist with the implementation of the Reform Strategy.

We have today appointed Greenhill & Co Australia Pty Ltd as Commercial Adviser and Ashurst Australia as Legal Adviser. These appointments followed a competitive procurement process.

These advisers will now immediately begin work to ensure that the Government’s objectives for the Air Warfare Destroyer Reform Strategy are achieved.

The Reform Strategy will:

• Improve shipbuilding productivity at the Air Warfare Destroyer shipbuilder ASC and its subcontractors BAE Systems, Forgacs and Navantia;
• Urgently insert an experienced shipbuilding management team into ASC; and
• After augmented shipbuilding capacity has been put in place, pursue the reallocation of blocks between shipyards to make the Air Warfare Destroyer Program more sustainable.

The implementation of the Reform Strategy will ensure that the Air Warfare Destroyer Program delivers this vital defence capability effectively and efficiently.

AUS DoD

AUS: Air Warfare Destroyer added to Projects of Concern list and Putting the program back on track

Spain's F100: Base design for the Hobart class AWD

Air Warfare Destroyer added to Projects of Concern list

Minister for Defence Senator David Johnston today announced that the Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) Project will be placed on the Projects of Concern (PoC) list.

Senator Johnston said the AWD project will be added to the PoC list as part of the plan to address the increasing commercial, schedule and cost risks outlined by the independent review by Professor Don Winter and Dr John White.

The Auditor General has also released a review into aspects of this program, which points to cost overruns at that time of over $300 million.

“The Government is taking decisive action at this point to get this program back on track,” Senator Johnston said.

AUS: Forgacs to provide a Landing Craft to Tonga

A contract worth almost $5 million between the Defence Materiel Organisation and Newcastle-based shipbuilder Forgacs Engineering Pty Ltd, for the manufacture of a 30 metre Landing Craft Medium, to be gifted to the Kingdom of Tonga by the Australian Government has been welcomed by the Minister for Defence, Senator David Johnston.  

Senator Johnston said the Australian-built vessel would be gifted to the Kingdom of Tonga as a sign of Australia’s long‑standing commitment to the South Pacific.

“The awarding of the contract for the Landing Craft Medium to Forgacs, a local shipbuilding firm, is a modest but important step for the sustainment of their operations into 2015,” the minister said.

 “The gifting of the Landing Craft Medium to the Kingdom of Tonga will enhance the Tongan military’s capacity to reach remote communities for nation building construction activities, as well as responding to domestic Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations, such as cyclones.