Civmec, Luerssen finalize Australian OPV contract

Civmec has been awarded a contract from Luerssen Australia in relation to the SEA1180 Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) project.

As informed, the awarded scope includes the supply and processing of steel for all twelve vessels to be built for the Royal Australian Navy.

The construction of the first vessel will commence in Q4 2018 in South Australia. The new Australian OPVs will be 80 meters in length with a displacement of 1700 tons and a draught of 4 meters.

Following the building of the first two vessels in South Australia, the company will undertake specific fabrication and construction activities for the following ten vessels.

Final consolidation of the ten vessels will be undertaken in the company’s new shipbuilding facility, which is currently under construction adjacent to its existing water-front facilities and head office at Henderson, Western Australia.

“We are looking forward to working with Luerssen on this project and further strengthening our relationship to target additional opportunities together in the future,” James Fitzgerald, Executive Chairman of Civmec, said.

Last year, the Australian government demanded from Luerssen to include the domestic shipbuilder Austal in the project.

In a separate announcement, Austal confirmed that the commercial negotiation process with Luerssen is still ongoing. Austal was brought into negotiations with Luerssen by the country’s government in order to use all the capabilities available in Henderson for the OPV project.

“Our Henderson operations currently comprise two facilities, one at Hope Valley Road that is dedicated to the Pacific Patrol Boat project and our Head Quarters at Henderson is currently building a 109m Fast Speed Catamaran (…) We have recently committed six million dollars in capital expenditure to upgrade our Henderson operations,” David Singleton, Austal CEO, said.