The Tasmanian government, which is seeking re-election on March 23, has said it will provide $5.25 million in matched funding to support an expansion by aluminium-bodied shipbuilder Incat. “We are investing $5.25 million and Incat are investing $5.25 million into this expansion, which will support up to 500 new jobs over the next three years,…
What were the five biggest stories of the week? Here’s what visitors to this site were reading. 5) Gilmour Space raises $55m, Eris rocket heads for space The historic launch of an Australian developed and manufactured rocket is closer with Gold Coast-based Gilmour Space Technologies closing a $55 million Series D capital raise ahead of…
Perth shipbuilder Austal has been awarded a contract extension for the construction of two additional Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats for the Royal Australian Navy. The $157 million contract follows the procurement announcement made by the Commonwealth of Australia (CoA) on 23 November 2023 and brings the total number of Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats being delivered…
By Peter Layton, Griffith University Australia’s naval surface combatant fleet is in trouble. The eight Anzac frigates are worn out after three decades of Middle Eastern adventures and hard to crew. The Anzac’s replacements, the much-criticised Hunter Class frigates, are late – the first will not enter service until 2032 or so. The project’s cost…
Aluminium fast ferry manufacturer Incat Tasmania has welcomed 15 new apprentices to its Hobart shipyard, including the highest intake of female apprentices in the company’s history. Incat Chairman Robert Clifford said it had never been a more exciting time to join the company. Clifford said: “We are currently building the largest battery electric zero emission…
Defence boat builder Birdon Group has signed a contract with the Brazilian Army Commission in Washington for the supply of two Bridge Erection Boats (BEBs) and services, including parts and training. The Port Macquarie, New South Wales company has previously supplied the Brazilian Army with three BEBs over recent years. The new BEBs will incorporate…
The US Marine Corps has selected Port Macquarie maritime engineer Birdon Group‘s advanced Heavy Landing Craft – H260 design to be part of a test and evaluation exercise focused on the missions it envisions Marines executing in the future. The H-260, a long-range, shallow draft, independent vessel, shares a common lineage to Birdon’s proposed Heavy…
Austal receives $1.3bn order from US Navy Shipbuilder Austal‘s US arm has received a $1.28 billion ‘undefinitised’ contract award (UCA) for the final design and construction of three Expeditionary Medical Ships (EMS) from the United States Navy. The EMS is based on Austal’s proven Expeditionary Fast Transport ship (EPF) platform and will be manufactured in…
Western Australian-based Greenroom Robotics Pty Ltd has joined shipbuilder Austal’s Patrol Boat Autonomy Trial, underway for Trusted Autonomous Systems and the Royal Australian Navy. Greenroom Robotics will integrate their Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) control software, known as GAMA, into Sentinel – pictured, a decommissioned Armidale-class Patrol Boat. The integration will allow autonomous navigation, remote pilotage…
Perth shipbuilder Austal has entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Harland & Wolff Group – the Belfast based builders of the famous Titanic – to pursue shipbuilding opportunities in the United Kingdom. The MOU, signed at the 2023 Indo Pacific Maritime Exposition in Sydney, includes the transfer of technology, skills, and shipyard capabilities required…
