Civmec launches its defence capabilities

Henderson-based Civmec is preparing the groundwork to pick up work on the Federal Government’s defence program, with a new state-of-the-art shipbuilding facility on the horizon.

On December 16, Premier Colin Barnett will visit Civmec for a special ceremony for the new facility, which is expected to rival the best in the world.

Once complete, the shipbuilding facility will be able to employ up to 1000 people and provide apprenticeships and graduate programs for up to 100 people each year.

The move is set to strengthen the company’s chances in picking up work on the $3 billion offshore patrol vessel project.

Civmec also wants to be involved in the $50 billion submarine program.

Chief executive Pat Tallon said Civmec would be spending more on the facilities than the $30 million flagged last year when it first threw its hat into the ring for defence work.

“It’s a very significant-sized shed,” he said.

“It’ll be an iconic structure and it’ll certainly symbolise Western Australia’s capability of doing more shipbuilding.”

Mr Tallon admitted Civmec was in a catch-22 situation when it came to securing projects.

“If we don’t have the facility, it’s going to be very hard to convince people we can do the work,” he said.

“This is the next step on to demonstrate that we’re willing to invest and build facilities that’ll make shipbuilding as productive as it can be anywhere in the world.”

The project is expected to take about two years.

The announcement comes at the end of a big year for the company, which historically has focused on the resources sector.

French naval defence and energy innovation giant DCNS, which is the preferred tenderer for the $50 billion submarine work, also visited Civmec in June.

DCNS was said to have been impressed by the size and sophistication of Civmec’s workshops and equipment.