Austal Australia has signed a memorandum of understanding with maritime defence manufacturing company Harland & Wolff Group to pursue shipbuilding opportunities in the United Kingdom.
The partnership, signed at the recent 2023 Indo Pacific Maritime Exposition in Sydney, includes the transfer of technology, skills, and shipyard capabilities required to build the next generation of patrol vessels for maritime security agencies in the United Kingdom.
The two companies have identified opportunities in the UK market, including the Border Force vessel replacement program, and are planning to establish a non-exclusive partnership on such opportunities.
Austal CEO Paddy Gregg said the partnership with Harland & Wolff was the first step towards winning new business in the United Kingdom.
“Harland & Wolff is an ideal partner for Austal in the pursuit of defence opportunities in the United Kingdom with the facilities, expertise and capabilities to effectively pursue and help deliver new vessels for organisations such as the UK Border Force. We look forward to collaborating with Harland Wolff on new opportunities that leverage Austal’s proven leadership in aluminium patrol boat design and construction,” Gregg said.
Harland & Wolff Group CEO John Wood said the company will partner with Austal not only for the transfer of technology to build aluminium vessels but also to collaborate with them when bidding for contracts.
“Austal’s skills and decades of experience in the aluminium build space and border security vessels are second to none. I look forward to working closely with them to build the next-generation shipyard capability for aluminium vessels in the UK,” Wood said.
