Prime Minister of Australia recognises two significant milestones at Civmec’s Henderson Facility

Prime Minister of Australia recognises two significant milestones at Civmec’s Henderson Facility PERTH, 3 October 2018 – Today, at Civmec Limited’s (“Civmec’s” or the “Group’s”) Henderson facility, two important milestones have been achieved: the erection of the first steel for one of the world’s largest undercover Ship Assembly Halls; and the preparation of steel for delivery to South Australia for Australia’s new fleet of Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs). Construction of the new facility is on budget and on track to meet the scheduled completion date of late 2019. The 53,000 sqm (gross floor area), 70-metre high, purpose-built facility will be one of the largest single undercover modularisation, repair and maintenance facilities in Australia. It will be able to house complete Air Warfare Destroyers, Frigates and OPVs, for construction or maintenance and introduces a national shipbuilding capacity substantially greater than anything that currently exists. The facility will significantly enable Western Australian participation in the Federal Government’s extensive Naval shipbuilding and sustainment program. The new facility will further enhance Civmec’s existing facilities on its 200,000 sqm land-holding at the Australian Marine Complex (AMC) in Henderson, Western Australia. Designed to be one of the most efficient and innovative in the world, the new facility will be a significant piece of industrial infrastructure, adding a new world-class resource to the Australian maritime landscape and considerably enhancing the capability available in Western Australia. Since the first sod turning ceremony in December 2009, Civmec continues to develop the site, in line with its long-term building program. After ten years, and when fully operational, the Civmec complex will be capable of handling any of Australia’s major projects for either the resource, infrastructure or defence sectors. The facility will provide employment opportunities for up to an additional 1,000 Australians, including 100 new apprentices and trainees, as capacity increases. Presently the company employs over 2,500 people across Australia. Civmec’s Executive Chairman, James Fitzgerald, said: “At times like this, it’s important to stop and reflect on the company’s achievements. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has contributed to the company for their support and encouragement which has helped to get us to this significant moment. This facility will create employment for numerous generations to come. It will be a hub for training and innovation and will be a home-grown leader in the future of modern heavy engineering. It’s a facility that West Australians, and indeed all Australians, can be proud of.” Today also marks another sizable milestone, particularly for Australian shipbuilding, with the preparation and profile cutting of the Australian steel plate for the first of 12 OPVs to be constructed for the Royal Australian Navy. In April 2018, Luerssen Australia awarded Civmec a significant contract for the new build program for the Royal Australian Navy’s SEA 1180 OPVs. The contract includes the supply and processing of steel for 12 vessels. The first two vessels will be built in South Australia by ASC and Civmec will undertake the fabrication, construction and consolidation for the following 10 vessels in Western Australia. This work program will be a key element underpinning Civmec’s Henderson operations for the years to come. “We are extremely pleased to be involved in the OPV program. Today represents an important step in our long-term commitment to further support the establishment of a competitive Australian shipbuilding industry and supply chain that can export to the global market,” said Mr Pat Tallon, Civmec’s Chief Executive Officer. The event was officiated by The Honourable Scott Morrison MP, Prime Minister of Australia, together with Senator the Honourable Mathias Cormann – Minister for Finance, Commodore Stephen Hughes – Director-General Littoral, Royal Australian Navy and Mr Peter Croser – Assistant Secretary Ships Acquisition – Specialist Ships at CASG, Department of Defence.