BAE Systems Australia has signed a contract with Badge Constructions WA to build a $5 million shipside support tower at its Henderson facility to support the eight ship ANZAC Mid-Life Capability Assurance Program (AMCAP) frigate upgrade project.
The five level tower will be built between the existing ship dry berths with two gangways at the upper level providing direct access to the ships dry berthed on either side. It will also include offices, meeting rooms and amenities for employees, contractors and tradespeople working on the ships.
According to BAE Systems, AMCAP will involve 2.4 million hours over the next five years, but the teams supporting its naval programs at Henderson are located in separate areas across the site.
Co-locating the team members which include the Department of Defence, Royal Australian Navy, major partners and contractors (BAE is a part of the WAMA comprising Saab Australia and Naval Ship Management [UGL/Babcock]) will facilitate greater collaboration and engagement and ensure that any issues during the upgrade can be dealt with much quicker.
Construction will start this month and the building should be completed and in use by the end of the year.
BAE Systems CEO Gabby Costigan said the investment will create benefits for the AMCAP program and future naval upgrade and sustainment projects at Henderson.
“It continues the significant investment in site infrastructure so that we can reduce the time that naval ships are on the hard stand, ensuring that they can be returned to service as quickly as possible.”