Austal delivers its largest-ever ferry

Perth shipbuilder Austal’s Philippines yard has delivered the 115-metre, high-speed vehicle-passenger ferry Express 5, to Molslinjen of Denmark, following the successful completion of sea trials in Balamban, Cebu. The ‘Auto Express 115’ high-speed catamaran ferry is the largest ferry (by volume) constructed by any Austal shipyard in the company’s 35-year history. During sea trials, the…

Manufacturing news briefs – stories you might have missed

Stärke Advanced Manufacturing Group acquire Gadac Plastics Stärke-AMG has added plastics to its strengths in precision metals manufacturing through its acquisition of GADAC Plastic Injection, a long-standing Australian family-owned plastic specialist business. GADAC provides a ‘design to finished product’ service for the manufacture of plastic product, specialising in plastic injection-moulding, product design and assembly. The…

Property propels Brickworks’ record profit

Building products manufacturer Brickworks Limited has announced record underlying Net Profit After Tax (NPAT) from continuing operations of $410 million for the half-year ended 31 January 2023, up 24 percent on the previous corresponding period. Statutory NPAT was $354 million, down 38 percent, a figure affected by the previous year’s one-off profit with the disposal…

Toward a competitive Queensland industrial ecosystem – by Cori Stewart

Robotics, AI and design for manufacture industry hub ARM Hub CEO Associate Professor Cori Stewart presented at the inaugural RACQ Electric Transport Industry Transformation Forum in Brisbane recently. Dr Stewart was asked what an advanced electric transport ecosystem looks like. Queensland needs deeper manufacturing capability to capture global market electric vehicle opportunities. Can Queensland be…

Australia closer to Boxer combat vehicle exports

The federal government has taken a significant step towards securing a major defence export deal, for Boxer heavy weapon carrier vehicles made in Queensland for the German Army (pictured). The Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy and his German counterpart, the Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister of Defence Thomas Hitschler have signed a…

Celebrating Australian sovereign capability – the future of Bass Strait gas, by Shane West

Yesterday in our editorial series, Celebrating Australian sovereign capability, Shane West examined procurement, fuel self-sufficiency and the role of the NRF. Today he looks to the future of Bass Strait gas. Australia’s security of supply issue for domestic gas users especially to the east coast has been exacerbated by ExxonMobil Bass Straits gas supply and…

Celebrating Australian sovereign capability – how Nova Systems is launching itself into space

Our series – Celebrating Australian sovereign capability – explores the space domain, seen by many as critical for everything from national security to environmental monitoring and the industrial internet of things communications. Here Peter Roberts charts Nova Systems journey from services provider to space technology developer and manufacturer. Nova Systems Executive General Manager Mission Solutions…