WA-based Civmec today announced it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with ASC Shipbuilding to jointly bid for the build of 12
Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) for the Royal Australian Navy through its wholly owned subsidiary, Forgacs Marine and Defence.
ASC Shipbuilding and Forgacs have been jointly chosen by two of the three shortlisted designers to work with them on the tender for the Commonwealth Government’s OPV program, under Project Sea 1180. Damen of the Netherlands and Lürssen of Germany are the two shortlisted designers concerned and ADM understands the third, Fassmer – also from Germany – has teamed with Austal.
ASC Shipbuilding and Forgacs will work with both companies on their bids for the project and also to explore opportunities to build other Minor War Vessels for the RAN and export markets.
The two have agreed to share intellectual property regarding shipbuilding and steel fabrication.
In a Civmec statement the company said in the event of the tender being successful, ASC Shipbuilding and Forgacs will form a 50:50 joint venture to build the OPVs, utilising the expertise of the experienced ship designers from Europe:
“Two OPVs will be built at ASC Shipbuilding’s facilities in SA and the remainder at Civmec/Forgacs’ facilities in WA.
“The ASC Shipbuilding and Forgacs joint venture provides an integrated solution to OPV production with seamless transition of the construction activity from South Australia to Western Australia.”
Civmec Chairman James Fitzgerald said: “It sees the two main shipbuilding hubs of Adelaide in South Australia and Henderson in Western Australia becoming closely linked in a relationship which will offer considerable advantages to a national naval shipbuilding industry”.
Civmec acquired the Forgacs name, shipyard facilities and assets located in Newcastle in early 2016.