Austal begins construction for Australia’s $306m PPB-R project

Source: strategicdefenceintelligence.blog --- Monday, May 01, 2017
Global ship building company Austal has cut the steel plate for the first of 19 Patrol Boat Replacement (PPB-R) vessels for the Commonwealth of Australia, marking the start of construction for the A$306m ($229.4) PPB-R project. Global shipbuilding company Austal has cut the steel plate for the first of 19 Patrol Boat Replacement (PPB-R) vessels for the Commonwealth of Australia, marking the start of construction for the A$306m ($229.4) PPB-R project. The plate-cutting also marks the beginning of the Australian Government’s A$89bn ($66.7bn) Continuous Naval Shipbuilding Programme. Austal CEO David Singleton said: “Austal is incredibly proud to be delivering the Commonwealth’s Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement project. Austal is Australia’s only design, build and sustainment shipbuilding company.” Austal has delivered the Commonwealth’s entire border patrol capability for more than 18 years. The SEA3036 PPB-R project demonstrates the company’s ability to manage and deliver complex shipbuilding projects for the Australian Government, and is the largest fleet of steel vessels to be built by Austal to date. The PPB-R project will also create new job opportunities for approximately 100 new apprentices, who will be recruited by the company over the coming seven months. Austal will employ up to 207 employees directly. Singleton added: “Upwards of 300 more are expected to be employed across our Australian supply chain, meaning more than 50 ...

from Australia http://ift.tt/2pwYUhr