The original scope included the supply and processing of steel for 12 vessels. The first two vessels were built in South Australia, while Civmec was contracted to undertake the block fabrication for the following ten vessels at its manufacturing hall, with consolidation occurring at the company’s world-class assembly hall in Henderson, Western Australia.

In 2024, the Australian Government announced an ‘Independent analysis of Navy’s surface combatant fleet’ whereby the initial requirement for 12 OPVs was reduced to six vessels.

Civmec successfully completed its portion of the project in June 2024, redeploying its shipbuilding workforce of staff, tradespeople, apprentices and trainees to support other existing contracts pending the award of future defence work.

Images: Luerssen Australia