Adelaide shipbuilders told they deserve ongoing work

SHIPBUILDING boss Jim Cuthill has told his Adelaide staff they are proving they deserve ongoing work ahead of the Government’s $35 billion decision on the Future Frigates.

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SHIPBUILDING boss Jim Cuthill has told his Adelaide staff they are proving they deserve ongoing work ahead of the Government’s $35 billion Future Frigates decision.

Work at ASC is winding down as the Air Warfare Destroyers are finished, and there is concern about making sure the skilled staff are kept on for future projects.

The third and final AWD, Sydney, was launched on Saturday, which ASC Shipbuilding acting chief executive officer Mr Cuthill said was a “very proud day”.

In a letter to staff on the company website last night, he highlighted the remarkable improvement in work at ASC since earlier in the AWD project, when it was afflicted by schedule and budget blowouts.

“Your achievement on Ship 3 places ASC Shipbuilding on a credible pathway to achieving international best practice for the construction of complex Aegis-like warships internationally, by the delivery of this ship at the end of next year,” he wrote.

The Global Combat Ship-Australia (GCS-A) is BAE Systems' offer to the Commonwealth for the future frigates project.

“Only by maintaining that trajectory can we claim to deserve a major role in the upcoming SEA5000 Future Frigate program, and you are proving each day that we are more than capable of such a role.” He said Sydney’s launch was a “bittersweet milestone”.

“It will wet the hull of Australia’s third and final AWD, with progress on the project leading to the continued draw-down of personnel numbers.”

The National Security Committee will meet in Canberra today and is likely to discuss the three Future Frigate tenders.

Many industry insiders expect a decision, but it may not be announced immediately.

Others say there could be one more meeting to decide who should get the job, BAE, Navantia or Fincantieri.