MMA Offshore scores survey scope with Australian Department of Defence

Marine services provider MMA Offshore has secured its third contract under the Hydroscheme Industry Partnership Program (HIPP) with the Australian Department of Defence.

Under the contract, the Australian company will complete a hydrographic survey off Tasmania. The project is expected to commence in January 2022 and continue for a period of four months.

“The award of our third HIPP hydrographic survey project is strategically important to the execution of our diversification strategy and we are very pleased to continue our positive working relationship with the Department of Defence in executing these important work scopes”, said MMA’s managing director, David Ross.

As described, the HIPP aims to undertake an efficient, effective and sustainable hydrographic survey, oceanographic and marine geophysical data collection program through a partnership with industry to deliver a true nation-building effort.

This long-term partnership between Defence and members of Australia’s hydrographic industry commenced in 2020. Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Michael Noonan, AO, Royal Australian Navy (RAN) said at the time that through this $150 million program, the industry will be able to use the latest hydrographic techniques and state of the art equipment to deliver quality hydrographic data to Defence, who chart and disseminate this information.

In the related news, RAN recently decommissioned the support ship, HMAS Sirius, in Perth’s Fleet Base West after 15 years of service. The ship, which holds the record of RAN’s biggest fuel replenishment at sea, played a key role defending Australia’s border. The decommissioning ceremony took place on 18 December.