- Author
- A.N. Other
- Subjects
- Ship design and development
- Tags
-
- RAN Ships
- None noted.
- Publication
- September 1993 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)
Transfield Shipbuilding has emerged as a regional leader in the provision of naval and commercial marine engineering services. By combining the capabilities of Transfield Amecon and Transfield Defence Systems in Melbourne, and Transfield ASI in Perth, Transfield Shipbuilding is now a shipbuilder of international significance, exceeding industry standards of achievement and quality. The newly-created Transfield Defence Systems supports the operation of its sister divisions by providing systems engineering, integration, commissioning and refurbishment, and a marine engineering, training and research centre.
Since acquiring the Williamstown marine engineering facility in 1988 and taking over the Australian Frigate Project, Transfield Amecon has introduced new management and industrial agreements that have helped transform a dormant capability into a world class operation. In 1992 Transfield Amecon delivered H.M.A.S. MELBOURNE, the first guided missile frigate built in Australia for the Royal Australian Navy.
The same week saw the launch of MELBOURNE’S sister ship FFG 06 NEWCASTLE. At 70 per cent complete, NEWCASTLE was the most advanced FFG Frigate at launch in worldwide build programs to date, reflecting the advances made through the adoption of modular construction techniques, involving Transfield Construction in the fabrication of large modules at facilities in Adelaide and Newcastle for final assembly by Transfield Amecon at Williamstown.
Transfield Amecon has also won the contract to supply 10 ANZAC Frigates, eight of which are for the Royal Australian Navy and two for the Royal New Zealand Navy. Work on the essential procedures and systems required to manage the design and procurement phase, in which Transfield Amecon is obliged to achieve 80 per cent Australian and New Zealand industry participation, is now well advanced, with steel for the second ANZAC ship already being cut.
The first ANZAC Frigate is due for delivery in 1996, with successive ships to be built and delivered at a rate of one per year thereafter.
Another milestone was reached during 1992 with Transfield Amecon’s formal accreditation to the stringent cost/schedule control system criteria requirements of the Department of Defence, making it one of the first companies to receive accreditation at this level.
On Australia’s west coast near Perth, Transfield ASI has commissioned and delivered 15 patrol boats designed and built in a contract forming part of the Australian Government’s aid program to Pacific Island Nations. In July 1992, Transfield ASI launched the first of six 31.5 metre patrol boats being built for the Hong Kong Marine Police. Transfield ASI won the tender to design and build the Hong Kong vessels in an international tender, and followed up with a separate contract to design and build four patrol boats for the Government of Kuwait.
Transfield Shipbuilding has teamed with Vosper Thornycroft (UK) for the Royal Australian Navy’s Minehunter Coastal Project, offering a state of the art Minehunter of the SANDOWN class, presently entering service with the Royal Navy and the Royal Saudi Navy.
Vosper Thornycroft is a leader in this special field, and the company’s willingness to seek out and team with Transfield underlines the significance of the Group’s emergence as a major international shipbuilder.
Transfield Shipbuilding has proposed to the Malaysian Government to design and build Patrol Vessels for Malaysia and Australia in a co-operative project. “It is an interesting proposal which we believe will bring significant benefits to both countries” says Dr John White, Chief Executive of Transfield Shipbuilding. “Whilst it is one proposal amongst many under consideration by Malaysia in a project which has attracted wide attention around the world, we are working hard to secure it for Australia and to share with Malaysia the full range of developed technology and construction expertise.”