News Review: Tenix launches first RNZN OPV | ADM Dec 06/Jan 07

The first of two Offshore Patrol Vessels being built by Tenix Defence for the Royal New Zealand Navy was launched on November 18 at Williamstown, Victoria, by a former New Zealand Governor-General, Dame Silvia Cartwright.

Nuship Otago is one of seven ships being built for the RNZN by Tenix Defence under the $500 million Project Protector. As well as the OPVs, four Inshore Patrol Vessels are being built at Tenix's Whangarei (NZ) facility, and the 8,500 tonne Multi-Role Vessel, Nuship Canterbury, is in final fitout at Williamstown.

She was built by Merwede Shipyard in the Netherlands, sailed to Australia under her own steam and is due for delivery later this year.

Guests at the launch included the New Zealand Defence Minister, Phil Goff MP, the Chief of the New Zealand Navy, Rear Admiral David Ledson ONZM, the Australian Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence, Bruce Billson MP, and the Victorian Minister for Manufacturing and Export, Andre Haermeyer MP.

Tenix Defence Chief Executive Officer Robert Salteri said the launch continued the highly successful trans-Tasman industrial co-operation established for the ANZAC Ship Project, under which Tenix constructed eight frigates for Australia and two for New Zealand.

"Tenix Defence's naval shipbuilding program provides jobs for about 1,000 people in both our countries, and involves another 2,000 small to medium enterprises as sub-contractors and suppliers," Mr Salteri said.

"Over the past 20 years, we have built 120 ships and exported 60 per cent of them.

"This is a business which both provides a significant economic input, and at the same time, a vital support to the navies of both our countries."

Copyright - Australian Defence Magazine, December 2006/January 2007