$60million floating dock started for AMC WA (AUS)

by Federal Government Media Office on 17 Jan 2008 Construction of the local component of a $60million floating dock at the Australian Marine Complex (AMC) in Henderson began today, two months ahead of the original schedule.

Today, Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan visited Western Australian shipbuilder Strategic Marine, to start the plasma cutter which cuts the steel for the state-of-the-art project.

'This is a major milestone in the continuing expansion of the AMC Common User Facility (CUF) as a world class centre of excellence for marine, resources and defence industries', Ms MacTiernan said.

'The floating dock is a key element of the Carpenter Government's $174.3million commitment to infrastructure upgrades at the AMC, which will inject $2billion into WA's economy over the next 25 years. It will enable local firms to undertake commercial ship repair work, including the growing super yacht sector'.

'It also provides the capability for testing sub-sea oil and gas components and allows WA to bid for a range of major maintenance and construction projects across the marine, defence and resources sectors.'

The floating dock will be fully automated, featuring world's best practice advanced control systems designed and installed by local and international electrical and engineering companies.

Strategic Marine will use more than 5,000 tonnes of steel to build the 99m long by 53m wide structure which will be capable of providing the land transfer of docked vessels up to 3,500 tonnes and lifting 12,000 tonne vessels out of the water for service and maintenance work.

The project represents a significant investment in WA industry with more than 60 per cent of works, including the fabrication of 1,000 tonnes in steel modules, to be completed locally by Strategic Marine and other AMC companies. The modules will be largely pre-outfitted with machinery, electrical and mechanical systems.

The floating dock is critical to ASC Pty Ltd's multi-billion dollar Through-Life Support contract to provide service and maintenance for the Collins Class submarines at the common user facility over the next 25 years.

ASC Pty Ltd's $35million submarine repair and maintenance facility at the AMC is expected to open early this year and the floating dock will be complete in time for the first scheduled submarine docking in October 2009.