Incat announces $70m plan for new ship production facility at Boyer paper mill site

One of the state’s most successful and enduring companies is preparing to double its workforce and production capacity after acquiring a portion of land at a well-known manufacturing site.

Concept design of new Incat production facility at Boyer paper mill site near New Norfolk. Picture: Incat

Famed Tasmanian shipbuilder Incat has acquired part of the Boyer paper mill site, where it plans to invest up to $70m in a new production facility that will see its workforce double in size.

The project will also enable the company to increase its shipbuilding capacity twofold but it will need to source external funding from private investors and/or governments to help it achieve its vision.

Incat currently has a 450-strong workforce but this is expected to grow to about 1000 across the Derwent Valley site and its Prince of Wales Bay shipyard once the production facility is completed.

Concept design of new Incat production facility at Boyer paper mill site near New Norfolk. Picture: Incat

The expansion will help the business realise its goal of building the world’s largest electric ferry, which will be capable of carrying 2100 passengers and more than 220 vehicles.

The proposed new production facility would be used to manufacture hulls and decks for Incat’s vessels, which it then plans to transport down the River Derwent to its shipyard, where the structures would then be completed.

Incat CEO Stephen Casey said the facility would allow the company to “streamline” its vessel construction process and “enhance our ability to produce multiple ships per year for the market”.

“Incat has the vision and the shipbuilding expertise to lead the world in the design and construction of these new eco-friendly electric ships, and we are positioning ourselves as the shipyard of choice for major ferry operators who want to minimise their environmental footprint with vessels of the highest quality,” Mr Casey said.

The company’s founder and chairman Robert Clifford said global demand for eco-friendly electric vessels was rapidly growing and Incat needed to rise to meet the challenge.

Incat founder and chairman Robert Clifford. Picture: Chris Kidd

“Incat has been at the forefront of maritime innovation for more than four decades and the purchase of this site marks a new period of significant growth for the company,” he said.

“I predict more than 1000 new sustainable ships will be needed to satisfy the global market over the next decade. Domestically there will be a need for more vessels in locations such as Sydney Harbour, and in Europe there will be a need for much larger vessels of up to 170m in length with the capacity to carry up to 1000 passengers.

“Incat is one of the few shipyards in the world capable of constructing large, lightweight, electric ships to meet that demand.”

Patrick Dooley, the general manager of Norske Skog’s Boyer Mill, said the paper giant had a plan to transform the 565ha site into a “major economic hub in Southern Tasmania”, incorporating renewable energy and advanced manufacturing.

Artist’s impression of a new electric hybrid vessel developed by Incat with ABB, a company based in Switzerland. Picture: Supplied

“Incat’s decision to establish its new facility at Boyer is an important step towards that goal and we wish them every success,” he said.

Incat, which is the largest single-site employer of trainees and apprentices in the state, is aiming to have the production facility ready for vessel construction in 2026.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff welcomed the announcement and said the project would boost Tasmania’s advanced manufacturing capabilities.

“Importantly, this will unlock extraordinary new training opportunities for hundreds of apprentices,” he said.

Originally published as Incat announces $70m plan for new ship production facility at Boyer paper mill site