ASC Shipbuilding’s future frigates program ramping up
Future frigates builder ASC Shipbuilding is gearing up for the prototyping phase of its $35 billion program, with opportunities for local suppliers continuing to flow.
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Elizabeth-based AFL Services has been shortlisted to complete blast and paint work during the prototyping phase of the $35 billion future frigates program.
The company is one of four Australian suppliers on the shortlist.
ASC Shipbuilding will award the blast and paint contract in the third quarter of this year, with the successful party to commence work at the Osborne shipyard in November.
AFL Services employs more than 60 people, providing abrasive blasting and painting services, as well as asset maintenance and remediation work for the defence, mining, aviation and infrastructure sectors.
General manager Adam Levi recently returned from BAE Systems’ shipbuilding facility in Glasgow, where together with representatives of other shortlisted suppliers, he inspected paint processes used for the Type 26 combat ship - the reference ship design for Australia’s Hunter class program.
He said the tour provided a valuable insight into the Type 26 frigate design.
“We appreciate that BAE Systems is embracing Australian industry content and helping small businesses to reach their potential to bid for the Hunter Class frigate program work,” he said.
“Personally being from South Australia, I have set goals to assist industry at Osborne and create flow-on to the schools and the community for years to come.
“AFL Services is proud to contribute to Australia’s sovereign capability.”
Blasting uses various materials to remove rust, paint and other imperfections from a surface in preparation for painting and protective coating.
A new state-of-the-art blast and paint facility has been constructed at the Osborne shipyard, where each ship block will be taken separately to be blasted and painted.
The frigates program’s two-year prototyping phase will begin in December, and will culminate in the construction of five test blocks.
ASC Shipbuilding supply chain director Ross Hillman said the company was hoping to achieve more than 90 per cent local industry content throughout the two-year prototyping phase.
“We have begun issuing procurement packs to the market for Australian companies to participate in the Hunter program’s prototyping phase, and we are looking forward to awarding these contracts throughout 2020 and beyond,” he said.
“We are delighted to facilitate industry engagements, such as this supplier visit to the UK, which helps to provide the companies with a better understanding of the product and work scope in order that they can provide optimal bid responses for the tasks in hand.”