Planning for the ship began in the 1970s to provide the Australian Army with a permanent sealift capability. She was laid down by Carrington Slipways at the Tomago, New South Wales facility in 1979, launched in 1980, and commissioned in 1981. She was a multi-purpose, roll-on/roll-off heavy lift ship capable of transporting soldiers, APCs, and tanks, and delivering them to shore via landing craft or directly by beaching.
In 2016, Civmec acquired the Forgacs name and their land and assets in Tomago, New South Wales.
3,353T (standard), 5,791T (full load)
127m (417ft)
18.3m (60ft)
4.9m (16ft)
