BAE Systems Australia opens shipside support tower

BAE Systems Australia formally opened a new shipside support tower at its Henderson facility on November 30.

The $5 million, multi-level support tower was opened by defense industry minister Steven Ciobo.

The structure will initially support the ANZAC Mid Life Capability (AMCAP) upgrade program being undertaken as part of the Warship Asset Management Agreement (WAMA) between BAE Systems, SAAB Australia, Naval Ship Management (NSM) and the Commonwealth of Australia.

The AMCAP program will see some 2.4 million hours of work invested in the fleet of eight ships. The program will continue through until 2023. The first ship to receive her upgrade was HMAS Arunta. She was undocked from Henderson earlier this week.

The five level tower building was built between the ship dry berths to accommodate support staff and provide amenities for the team delivering the upgrade.

The shipside support tower provides offices and meeting spaces for support staff on the lower levels and amenities for the trade workforce on the upper levels. Two gangways at the upper level provide direct access to the ships dry berthed on either side.

Designed by architect Brown Falconer and built by local contractor Badge Constructions, the construction team successfully delivered the building on time and within budget. Supply Nation members Maybell Group and S&M Contracting provided and installed the furniture and fittings.

“This investment is important for the AMCAP program and the incredibly complex work that will be undertaken over the next five years,” BAE Systems Australia Director Maritime Darren Kirkby said. “It’s also a valuable asset for future naval sustainment and upgrade programs undertaken at our site and within the Henderson precinct.”