Navantia Australia creates new naval research centre in Tasmania

The University of Tasmania’s Australian Maritime College (AMC) will soon be home to a new Naval Research Centre in Launceston, consolidating Tasmania’s position at the forefront of maritime research and innovation. An agreement signed AMC and Navantia Australia marks a significant step forward in the establishment of the Centre, which will offer unique opportunities for students and researchers working at the cutting edge of innovation in ship building and design. The partnership brings together AMC’s world-class research capabilities and Navantia Australia’s industry leadership in naval design capability. It will foster industry collaboration with AMC’s academics and students, contribute to creating and keeping high tech jobs in Australia and help to secure Australia’s sovereignty in the naval domain. Areas of priority in ship building and design research include innovations to keep Australian vessels and sailors safe during naval operations and improvements to the efficiency and environmental footprint of vessels. Malcolm Wise, Principal of the Australian Maritime College, said this collaboration, underpinned by specialist research capability and advanced facilities, positioned the AMC at the forefront of naval research. “These specialist research areas include underwater acoustics, hydrodynamic optimisation, model-based simulation, and underwater shock and vibration,” Wise said. AMC’s state-of-the-art hydrodynamic facilities, including a 100-metre towing tank and Australia’s only cavitation laboratory, will be critical to the Centre’s operations. Navantia Australia Managing Director Israel Lozano said he was excited to be collaborating with the AMC on innovative technological solutions. “By combining AMC’s cutting-edge research capabilities with Navantia’s 400 years of experience in naval ship design, we are creating this innovation hub for the future of the Australian naval industry. This collaboration will advance critical research needed for the Royal Australian Navy in niche areas such as platform signatures, hull form optimisation, ship system optimisation, and model-based simulations for digital twins. It will also reinforce Tasmania’s role as a leader in naval research. Together, we look forward to developing solutions that will enhance Australia’s naval capabilities for years to come.” Navantia Australia, which has played a major role in the delivery and sustainment of over 60 percent of the Royal Australian Navy’s surface fleet, is committed to growing Australia’s naval shipbuilding and sustainment industry. The Naval Research Centre will officially begin operations in early 2025. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Group Sales Director Simon Hadfield at [email protected]