Australian Marine Complex

The Australian Marine Complex (AMC) is a marine industry precinct located at Henderson, Western Australia, 23km south of the Perth CBD. It is located on Cockburn Sound.[1]

Australian Marine Complex
PerthWestern Australia
HMAS Warramunga (FFH 152), HMAS Perth (FFH 157), MV Besant and MMA Responder at the AMC in July 2020, with Garden Island and HMAS Stirling in the background
Map
Coordinates32°09′29″S 115°45′58″E / 32.158°S 115.7662°E / -32.158; 115.7662
Location23 km (14 mi) SW of Perth
LGA(s)City of Cockburn

Overview edit

The complex was established in 2003 when the Common User Facility, owned by the Western Australian Government, commenced operations.[2] It is home to approximately 150 businesses in five designated zones.[1] The facility is operated by Western Australian's state government owned property developer DevelopmentWA and AMC Management (WA) Pty Ltd.[3]

The complex is divided into shipbuilding, technology, support industry, fabrication and recreational boating precincts.[1]

The recreational boating precinct, at the northern end of the complex, consists of the Jervoise Bay boat harbour. The fabrication precinct is located at the southern end of the complex, while the shipbuilding precinct is located along the coast between the two. The technology and support precincts are located inland, to the east.[1] The shipbuilding precinct serves as a maintenance facility for the Royal Australian Navy's Collins-class submarines and Anzac-class frigates, being located across Cockburn Sound from HMAS Stirling on Garden Island.[4]

Major tenants of the facility include Austal, BAE Systems Australia and Civmec.[2]

In 2010, the A$60 million floating dock Yargan commenced operations at the Australian Marine Complex, Yargan being the Noongar word for tortoise. The dock is capable of lifting up to 12,000 tonnes from the water and to transfer up to 3500 tonnes from water to land. The dock's initially purpose was to serve as a maintenance facility for the Collins-class submarines.[5]

In March 2022, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced a A$4.3 billion investment to establish a large vessel dry dock at the Australian Marine Complex in Henderson. Construction of the facility is scheduled to start in 2023 and to be completed by 2030.[6][7]

Anzac Mid-Life Capability Assurance Program edit

 
HMAS Toowoomba (FFH 156) and HMAS Ballarat (FFH 155) at Australian Marine Complex in March 2022

The Anzac-class frigates of the Royal Australian Navy currently undergo their Mid-Life Capability Assurance Program (AMCAP) at the Australian Marine Complex, with HMAS Arunta (FFH 151) being the first of the eight ships to complete this upgrade by 2019.[8] HMAS Anzac (FFH 150) was the second ship to complete this program, returning to service in 2020,[9] HMAS Warramunga (FFH 152) the third[10] and HMAS Perth (FFH 157) the fourth to complete this service.[11]

As of March 2022, HMAS Toowoomba (FFH 156),[12] HMAS Stuart (FFH 153)[13] and HMAS Ballarat (FFH 155)[14] are undergoing their upgrade and are scheduled to finish in this order. HMAS Parramatta (FFH 154) is yet to undergo the process.[15]

The upgrade is being carried out by the Warship Asset Management Agreement Alliance, an alliance of the Commonwealth of Australia, BAE Systems, SAAB Australia and Naval Ship Management Australia.[16]

Austal edit

 
The TTS Port of Spain (CG41) of the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard in Henderson, May 2021

The Austal shipyard at the Australian Marine Complex built and delivered five Guardian-class patrol boats and Cape-class patrol boats in 2021, with the later two built of the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard while the former are destined for Pacific Island nations, having been ordered and financed by the Australian Department of Defense. In 2022, Austal is scheduled to deliver a further five Guardian-class patrol boats and four Cape-class patrol boats, the later for the Royal Australian Navy. All up, 21 Guardian-class patrol boats are scheduled to be built at the complex for twelve Pacific Island nations.[17]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d "Australian Marine Complex". developmentwa.com.au. Development WA. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  2. ^ a b "AMC Strategic Infrastructure & Land Use Plan" (PDF). www.wa.gov.au. Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation. 28 August 2020. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  3. ^ "Australian Marine Complex: Agencies Involved". developmentwa.com.au. Development WA. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  4. ^ "Australian Marine Complex: Maritime". developmentwa.com.au. Development WA. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  5. ^ Catanzaro, Jo (9 February 2010). "WA's floating dock a world first". The West Australian. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  6. ^ "Morrison announces $4.3 billion investment to establish a 'large vessel dry dock'". Sky News Australia. 15 March 2022. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  7. ^ "Henderson large vessel dry-dock announced". Australian Defence Magazine. 15 March 2022. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  8. ^ "HMAS Arunta (II)". www.navy.gov.au. Royal Australian Navy. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  9. ^ "HMAS Anzac (III)". www.navy.gov.au. Royal Australian Navy. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  10. ^ "HMAS Warramunga (II)". www.navy.gov.au. Royal Australian Navy. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  11. ^ "HMAS Perth (III)". www.navy.gov.au. Royal Australian Navy. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  12. ^ "HMAS Toowoomba (II)". www.navy.gov.au. Royal Australian Navy. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  13. ^ "HMAS Stuart (III)". www.navy.gov.au. Royal Australian Navy. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  14. ^ "HMAS Ballarat (II)". www.navy.gov.au. Royal Australian Navy. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  15. ^ "HMAS Parramatta (IV)". www.navy.gov.au. Royal Australian Navy. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  16. ^ Vavasseur, Xavier (27 June 2020). "Third ANZAC-Class Frigate Gets Her New Mast As Part Of AMCAP Upgrade". Naval News. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  17. ^ Bahtić, Fatima (19 January 2022). "Austal launches new Guardian-class patrol boat for Australian DoD". Naval Today. Retrieved 18 March 2022.