The Government announced on April 6 that Australia had been successful in its bid to acquire the UK’s Bay Class amphibious ship Largs Bay at a cost of £65 million (approximately $A100 million).
Australia has now signed a Letter of Intent with the UK Government and the first two payments of £22 million each (£44 million or $A66 million in total) have been made on the ship.
A sea-trial of the ship has also been conducted.
The trial was conducted in two phases - a harbour phase (April 11-17) followed by the at-sea phase (April 18-19).
Defence’s final report on the sea-trial confirms that the ship is in good material state.
International shipping firm, Teekay Shipping Australia, thoroughly inspected the ship prior to the submission of Australia’s bid and found that “the ship presents very well, and from a technical point of view, there are no major defects.”
Teekay was also engaged on the sea trial and have provided an updated report that confirms their previous assessment.
The Government will now give consideration to what modifications are necessary for Australian use of Largs Bay, with such work on the ship subject to Government approval.
The ship remains on track to arrive in Australia by the end of the year in time for it to be operational in Australia in early 2012.