THE CHANGING FACE OF AUSTRALIAN SHIPBUILDING

The return of Australia’s only specialised commercial maritime trade exhibition
reflects major changes to the nations shipbuilding industry.
“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,”
explained 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.