Australian Customs Service News

Australian designer and manufacturer, Austal handed over a Guardian-class patrol boat to the Pacific Island country Tuvalu in a ceremony in Perth, Australia.This is the second of 21 GCPBs being gifted by the Commonwealth to 12 Pacific Island Nations and Timor-Leste under the Commonwealths Pacific Maritime Security Program."Austal is pleased to deliver this program for the Commonwealth of Australia. The Guardian Class has brought together the industry-leading skills of over 200 Austal employees, and is estimated to have employed an additional 200 people indirectly through the design, construction and sustainment process which will continue through the life of the program out to 2023" Austal CEO…

Austal announced that an agreement had been reached to acquire Canberra based Australian Technology Information Pty Ltd (ATI). ATI is an Australian company that provides specialized services to the Australian Defence Forces including systems engineering and integration, information technology, verification and validation systems and deployable tactical command centres. “These technologies are an ideal complement to Austal’s existing design and production capability in the defence sector and will allow Austal to expand the range of services and products that it can deliver to defence customers worldwide”. Having recently delivered patrol boats to the Queensland Police…

The teaming of Austal Ships and Bender Shipbuilding to construct, from the ground up, a world-class aluminum vessel construction facility in Mobile, Ala., highlights the level of investment mid-tier U.S. yards have made in the past five years. Austal, which is well regarded for its fast craft design and construction prowess, will have at its disposal arguably one of the finest plate production facilities in the country, as well as access to a market for its signature craft, which is seemingly poised to boom. The two companies, however found that through a melding of similar ideas — both on a philosophical and financial level — that they could assimilate their cultural and business practices to form what aspires to become the largest aluminum shipbuilding company in the U.S. — Austal USA.

By Regina P. The teaming of Austal Ships and Bender Shipbuilding to construct a world-class aluminum vessel construction facility in Mobile, Ala., highlights the level of investment mid-tier U.S. yards have made in the past five years. Austal, which is well regarded for its fast craft design and construction prowess, will have at its disposal arguably one of the finest plate production facilities in the country, as well as access to a market for its signature craft, which seems to be poised to boom. The two companies, however, found that through a melding of similar ideas - both on a philosophical and financial level - that they could assimilate their cultural and business practices to form what aspires to become the largest aluminum shipbuilding company in the U.S. - Austal USA.

Minister for Defense, Senator the Hon Robert Hill, announced that Austal Ships, in conjunction with joint tender partner, Defense Maritime Services (DMS), has been short-listed to design, construct and provide through-life service for the Royal Australian Navy’s new patrol boats, due to replace the existing Fremantle class patrol boats. If ultimately successful, Austal’s role in the SEA 1444 project will be the design and construction of the patrol boats, while DMS will provide logistic and maintenance support through the operational life of the vessels, in addition to training of naval crews. Austal Ships’ managing director, Bob McKinnon, said Austal’s inclusion on the short-list was a reflection of the company’s worldwide success with both commercial and military vessels.

Australia’s offshore maritime security is to be further strengthened through a series of linked initiatives that will be implemented progressively through 2005. These measures, recommended by the Government’s Taskforce on Offshore Maritime Security, build on previously announced border protection and maritime security initiatives. They focus, in particular, on the protection of Australia’s offshore oil and gas facilities, and on ensuring that any terrorist threat to Australia’s maritime assets and our coastline can be quickly detected and defeated. In implementing these initiatives the government is committing a further $10.6 million to the more than $187 million we have committed to upgrading off-shore maritime security since July 2004.

Two warships of the Royal Australian Navy are due to arrive in Manila on Friday for a weeklong joint training with their Philippine counterparts, said the Philippine Navy Thursday. The HMAS Newcastle and HMAS Darwin would join the training activities with the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard dubbed Maritime Training Activity Lumbas, according reports. Australian Customs Service would also take part in exercise which are composed mostly of shore-based training in Manila and would conclude with a combined sea passage. The exercise is not a full-blown joint military exercise due to the absence of a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) between the two countries.

Police from the Marine Area Command have coordinated a three-day joint operation designed to test the capabilities of state and federal agencies working together in a major border protection exercise. The operation, which began yesterday, involves NSW Police officers from areas including Marine Area Command and POLair, supported by police from the Tweed/Byron Local Area Command. Operation Baker is a multi-agency initiative co-ordinated by NSW Police and supported by Australian Customs Service, NSW Fisheries, Australian Fisheries and Management Authority, NSW Maritime Authority, Australian Federal Police, and Queensland Police. The exercise is targeting illegal activities in the Australian Exclusive Economic Zone out to 200 nautical miles to sea.

The Australian Minister for Customs issued a Media Release stating that the Australian Customs Service’s Annual Report has been tabled in Parliament. Among other things, the report discusses the significant enhancement to maritime surveillance that the agency implemented during 2005. Source: HK Law

Austal has announced that it has secured an order for three Coast Guard vessels from the Government of Kuwait, Ministry of Interior. The trio of 22 metre aluminium monohulls will be built by Austal subsidiary, Image Marine and are due for delivery by early 2004. Austal Managing Director, Mr Bob McKinnon, said the contract was won against stiff international competition as part of a global tender process, and demonstrated the company’s ability to penetrate new markets. “Securing this contract with the Kuwait Coast Guard, together with our short-listing for the Royal Australian Navy patrol boat project, shows that there is considerable potential for Austal in this market,” he said.

Austal Ships has been selected to supply a fleet of 10 patrol boats to the Republic of Yemen, Ministry of Defence. Based on a proven hullform, the 123 ft. (37.5 m) aluminium monohulls will provide the level of capability the Yemenis require in a reliable, simple to operate vessel that is easy to maintain. The low risk that such a combination ensures is also being provided at a low acquisition cost for the purchaser, with the total contract price for the 10 vessels, spares, and a substantial package of training for 60 personnel coming in at well under $55 million. The keys to achieving this highly cost-effective package are the efficient, high productivity design and manufacturing techniques that Austal has developed through the construction of more than 90 boats over 15 years.