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Projects

Marine and Defence
  • 10.2018 - ongoing
  • Royal Australian Navy
  • Henderson, WA
SEA 1180 Offshore Patrol Vessel Project
Infrastructure
  • 06.2020 - 04.2021
  • Phoenix International
  • Henderson, WA
Submarine Rescue Facility
View All

Australia's Naval
Shipbuilding Partner

CDI is proud to be delivering the Royal Australian Navy’s SEA 1180 Offshore Patrol Vessel Project.

Drawing on Civmec’s proven capabilities as one of Australia’s leading steel fabrication and heavy engineering companies, CDI operates Western Australia’s only integrated naval shipyard capable of building steel frigate and destroyer-sized ships.

Our shipyard includes the full suite of naval shipbuilding capabilities, including panel line, beam line, hull press, blast and paint, pipe and spool manufacture, sub-block assembly and an assembly hall capable of hosting four frigate-sized ships.

These advanced facilities and technology are supported by a highly skilled local workforce, with safety and quality at the core of everything we do.

By investing in training and development opportunities across the sector, we are further enhancing our offering and strengthening Australia’s sovereign shipbuilding capabilities.

Why CDI?
  • Australian company supporting Australia’s sovereign capability
  • Stringent safety, security and quality standards
  • Committed to excellence and efficiency
  • Innovative technology, systems and equipment
  • Experienced, local workforce
  • Multidisciplinary, integrated services supporting end-to-end delivery
  • Registered training provider

Cutting-Edge Naval Shipyard

Our 200,000m2 Henderson shipyard is Western Australia largest manufacturing facility and the only integrated naval shipyard capable of building steel frigate- and destroyer-sized ships.

The fabrication hall (230m x 130m and 24m high – larger than 4 soccer fields) can fabricate 50,000 tonnes of structural steel and platework per year. Its facilities include automatic steel and beam panel lines, plate rolling machines, a hull press and 24 overhead cranes. The facility can deliver sub block assembly up to 3,500 tonnes.

The two surface treatment facilities allow for all weather blast, surface treatment and paint of complex steel structures. Facility 1 (80m x 30m and 30m high) can host the paint of a complete Offshore Patrol Vessel. Facility 2 (80m x 60m and 20m high) can be split to enable simultaneous blast and surface treatment.

The exotic materials facility (40m x 30m and 9m) allows for the welding, fabrication and assembly of specialist steels and alloys.

The pipe processing facility (29m x 17m and 12m high) enables dedicated space for pipe and spool bending and forming.

The assembly hall (216m x 137m and with a 70m high bay) is the largest ship assembly hall in Australia and can support the assembly and outfit of four frigate-sized ships simultaneously. It delivers 53,000m2 (larger than the Tokyo Dome) of covered, all weather working space with 17 overhead cranes and a 400-tonne combined lift to maximise efficiency.

With the use of the Common User Facility, Civmec has access to a further 440,000m2 of assembly space, 6 deep water loadout berths, and a 12,000 tonne capacity floating dock.

Civmec’s Henderson facility employs 1,000 staff covering the full range of shipbuilding, design and training skills.

Learn More About Henderson

Skilled Workforce

CDI invests in the skills and the transfer of knowledge within our own workforce, as well as local suppliers and subcontractors, to support the establishment of a competitive Australian shipbuilding industry.

Through our in-house Registered Training Organisation (RTO), we offer training solutions for naval platforms that are designed to ensure crews are fully prepared to operate and maintain complex systems with precision and confidence.

Learn More About Naval Crew Training

End-To-End Solutions

Leveraging our multi-skilled workforce, we deliver turnkey solutions with cost and schedule benefits, incorporating our fabrication and modularisation experience with our core services, including mechanical, electrical, surface treatment, insulation and scaffolding.

Defence Estate Works
We support the delivery of Defence Estate projects, including new construction projects and facilities’ upgrade and maintenance works aimed at restoring or sustaining capability of existing facilities and infrastructure.

Learn More About Our Defence Capabilities

Our History

Civmec entered the defence sector in 2015 with the launch of a dedicated marine and defence division. Our vision was to apply our strong industrial expertise to naval shipbuilding, supporting Australia and the Commonwealth as a sovereign shipbuilding partner.

In 2016, Civmec acquired the name and assets of Forgacs Marine & Defence, including its Newcastle (NSW) facilities. Forgacs was previously Australia’s largest privately-owned shipbuilder. It had a 65-year history of delivering over 100 vessels, including contributions to the Anzac Class frigates, Hobart Class destroyers, Collins Class submarines, and the Aurora Australis icebreaker.

Civmec further expanded its capabilities by acquiring shipbuilding equipment from BAE Systems’ Williamstown shipyard, which had supported major naval programs including the Anzac Class Frigates and Canberra Class Landing Helicopter Docks.

In 2020, Civmec completed construction of a 53,000m² shipbuilding hall at its 200,000m² waterfront site in Henderson, WA. It is the largest naval assembly hall in the state, designed for simultaneous construction of Destroyer- and Frigate-sized vessels. The facility operates 24/7 and connects to the Australian Marine Complex, enabling direct access to launch and integration infrastructure.

In 2025, Civmec acquired Luerssen Australia and the business was officially renamed Civmec Defence Industries (CDI), consolidating our design, manufacturing and shipbuilding capabilities under one brand.

With advanced infrastructure, a skilled workforce and a strategic location, CDI is positioned to support future Commonwealth defence and infrastructure programs.

Timeline

2015 – Launched defence division

2016 – Acquired Forgacs Marine & Defence

2020 – Completed major assembly and shipbuilding hall

2025 – Acquired Luerssen Australia

2025 – Renamed to Civmec Defence Industries (CDI)

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