The changing face of Australian shipbuilding

“When last presented in Perth in 2003, the AUSMARINE exhibition was dominated by the local shipbuilding industry, particularly builders of fast ferries, fishing and patrol boats,” said organiser Kishore Navani. “There were no foreign domiciled shipbuilders at all. This time, however, more than half the shipbuilder exhibitors are foreign domiciled. In addition three of the leading Australian based shipbuilder exhibitors, Austal, Harwood Marine and Strategic Marine have extensive operations overseas. The industry has changed drastically in seven years.
“This can be explained partially by Australia’s governments’ dramatic near obliteration of the local fishing industry; by the near saturation of the global fast ferry market; and finally, by the rapid growth in the offshore service sector. The latter requiring steel vessels that are scarcely built in Australia now,” Mr Navani concluded.
As a result, AUSMARINE 2010 will be a much more international event than its predecessors. A “Who’s Who” of the Australian and the world’s top work boat builders are showing their wares. They are supported by a number of the best-known naval architects; engine and propulsion system manufacturers; and, many other top class suppliers to the Australian work boat industry.
AUSMARINE will be enhanced by a pair of first rate Conferences, which will be presented on Tuesday, November 23 and Wednesday, November 24. There will also be a series of detailed Product Presentation Seminars. Access to all of these is free of charge.