Naval Shipbuilding Projects Pave the Way for Industry in Tasmania

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, today announced an additional Naval Shipbuilding Industry briefing will be held in Launceston on 3 May 2017.

Minister Pyne said this event followed on from the success of industry briefings held across regional Australia in March.

The briefings have attracted over 200 attendees; from manufacturers in Geelong, boat lifters in Geraldton, welders in Bunbury and engineers in Nowra.

“These briefings are a chance for regional Australians to learn more about the Government’s $89 billion national shipbuilding endeavour—the most ambitious shipbuilding program Australia has ever seen,” Minister Pyne said.

On 31 March Minister Pyne released the Future Frigate Request for Tender (RFT) to the three shortlisted designers; BAE, Fincantieri and Navantia. The RFT for the Offshore Patrol Vessels has also closed—shortlisted designers are; Damen, Fassmer and Lürssen.

The shortlisted designers for both programs must demonstrate how they will transition their existing supply chains to Australian supply chains and how they will integrate local suppliers into their global supply chains.

On 24 March Minister Pyne announced the establishment of Australia’s Maritime Technical College to identify, train or retrain Australian workers for our future naval shipbuilding projects

“The college will deliver skills in partnership with many existing universities and training providers across Australia, such as the Australian Maritime College in Launceston.

“This will ensure we capture the best training to help deliver the optimal naval shipbuilding skills for the future,” he said.

Minister Pyne opened the first series of national capital city industry briefings in October 2016.

“Throughout these briefings Defence has met with over 1,600 Australian industry representatives from more than 1,100 Australian companies interested in doing business with Defence and assisting in the pre-construction, build or sustainment phases of the two programs.”

Further information:

The remaining regional briefings will be held in the following locations:

• Launceston - 3 May 2017
• Whyalla - 4 May 2017
• Newcastle - TBC
• Cairns - TBC

To attend one of these briefings please register at, https://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/department-of-defence-11842283748

Future Frigate and Offshore Patrol Vessel programs: http://www.defence.gov.au/casg/EquippingDefence/SEA5000PH1_FutureFrigates

Centre for Defence Industry Capability’s services:

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