Luerssen launches Australia’s newest shipbuilding company to drive local jobs, investment and exports
One of the world’s leading shipbuilders, Luerssen, has teamed with Australian engineering and
construction firm Civmec to create a new force in naval shipbuilding and exports.
The joint venture, Australian Maritime Shipbuilding & Export Group (AMSEG), will partner Luerssen
Australia, the prime contractor and designer for the Australian Government’s Offshore Patrol Vessel
program, with West Australian-based Civmec, soon to list on the Australian Stock Exchange.
It is intended that AMSEG will play a significant role in the build of ten OPVs in Henderson, Western
Australia and in driving an export shipbuilding business that will target opportunities around the region.
The joint venture will be chaired by one of the nation’s foremost naval experts, former Chief of the Navy, Vice
Admiral (ret) Chris Ritchie.
“This new company will be governed by an Australian board and operate under Australian management to
build world class naval vessels in best practice Australian shipyards,” Vice Admiral (ret) Ritchie said.
“We will invest in Australian skills and infrastructure and transfer expertise from SEA1180 prime, Luerssen
Australia, to develop capability and support the foundation of a sustainable naval shipbuilding industry that is
able to export to the global market.”
Executive Chairman of Civmec and AMSEG Director, Jim Fitzgerald, said the formation of the new company
was further evidence of the commitment the SEA1180 industrial team had made to materially growing
Australia’s shipbuilding industry.
“This is a huge step forward for Australia’s shipbuilding industry. It is an exciting development that will fully
underpin the development of the new state of the art shipbuilding facility at Civmec’s Henderson
headquarters,” Mr Fitzgerald said.
Mr Fitzgerald’s comments were echoed by Tim Wagner, Managing Director of Luerssen Defence and
AMSEG Director.
“Luerssen has always believed in the vision of the Australian Government’s Naval Shipbuilding Plan and
wanted to not only be a part of it, but to help make it a reality.”
“We set up Luerssen Australia in May 2017, today we have announced this important joint venture and later
this year we will open applications to our program which will fund scholarships and apprenticeships for
aspiring Australian shipbuilders. The future of Australian naval shipbuilding looks bright,” Mr Wagner said.
