Underwater sustainment and biofouling management services for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) will be delivered by Babcock Australasia (Babcock) and Franmarine as part a new $10 million contract.
Babcock and Franmarine have been contracted by the RAN since 2018 to deliver biofouling management services to the Navy, helping to reduce the proliferation of invasive marine species.
"Babcock’s partnership with Franmarine demonstrates our continued commitment investing in local industry to deliver innovation and capability to the Royal Australian Navy," said Simon Spratt, Babcock’s Managing Director – Marine.
"This is a great example of how Babcock continues to support small and medium enterprises. We remain committed to supporting and growing our sovereign supply chain, helping Australia to remain safe and secure.”
The new contract builds on the previous agreement and now includes supporting all major surface ships on both the East and West coasts. In addition to supporting the Asset Class Prime Contractor (ACPC) and Regional Maintenance Provider West (RMP West) programs, the new ships supported include the Hobart Class Destroyers, Bay Class Landing Ship Dock and Supply Auxiliary Oiler Replenishments.
“Franmarine are proud to have reached yet another significant milestone together with Babcock, with the MarineStream technology solution now used to manage biofouling across the major surface force," said Adam Falconer-West, CEO of Franmarine.
“The program aims to protect marine biodiversity, reduce fuel consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions, whilst other benefits include improved vessel performance and reduced corrosion rates”.
Franmarine, supported by Babcock, was recently awarded a grant by the West Australian Government to facilitate the establishment of a global operations centre at Henderson that will employ an additional 66 employees in WA and create 74 new jobs over the life cycle of the project.