Australia starting construction of Osborne South shipyard

The Australian government announced it has selected Lendlease as the managing contractor for the construction of the Osborne South shipyard revealing the project is anticipated to create 600 jobs at its peak.

Preparatory works are starting this month, while the the new shipbuilding infrastructure should be ready to support the commencement of Future Frigate construction at the site in 2020.

Lendlease will partner with Australian Naval Infrastructure Pty Ltd for the work.

“For the first time in over a decade we are seeing jobs created at Osborne, with up to 600 construction related jobs to be created on the Osborne South Shipyard project,” Australian defense industry minister Christopher Pyne said announcing the contract.

“The valley of death is over and we are now seeing a upturn of employment in naval shipbuilding in our state that will only continue to increase as these new projects gain momentum.”

Minister for finance Mathias Cormann said that the government’s decisions to establish Australian Naval Infrastructure Pty Ltd and purchase land and facilities from the South Australian government have enabled work to progress rapidly.

“Through Australian Naval Infrastructure Pty Ltd the Government is investing more than $500 million in naval infrastructure at Osborne that will support a sustainable, long-term naval shipbuilding industry in Australia.”