Ausmarine

EDITORIAL: "Expensive to buy and very expensive to operate, the acquisition of the containership 'ANL Kokoda' epitomises the 'Sovietisation' of Australian shipping. I predict massive losses when the ship and its coming brethren try to compete globally. "It will also be practically useless in its MUA proclaimed role as a 'disaster relief' saviour for Australia’s Pacific island neighbours. It is too large, too deep draughted, and too slow to achieve anything there and, given their history, the MUA members of its crew will expect to be paid danger money for such activities. They will also preclude its practical use in time of war. "The Soviet Russians never made profits from shipping. Inevitably, neither will the Soviet Australians. Governments should never own commercial ships." https://lnkd.in/gQmTjsdZ

OPINION: "The reduction in planned submarine capability as a result of the de-scoped LOTE program increases the importance of achieving the remaining two key steps of the AUKUS "optimal pathway," delivery to the Royal Australian Navy of US Virginia-class nuclear attack submarines (SSNs) and local construction of the follow-on Anglo-Australian SSN-AUKUS boats. "The Virginias are due to arrive in the early 2030s, almost certainly not before 2032, but there is a significant risk that deliveries could be delayed – or even withheld if the US judges that it has too few SSNs for its own requirements. Since the Collins-class is losing its competitiveness with age, delays to the Virginias and SSN-AUKUS could leave Australia without a modern crewed submarine capability for a decade or more – hence the need to get ready now for the Japanese fallback option. "It is more than prudent to prepare now for the future contingency of rapidly buying or leasing conventional submarines from Japan (or even another partner) should these risks to Australia’s submarine capability emerge. The reduction in the LOTE program and resulting reduction in planned capability is a clear reminder that such risks are very real." https://lnkd.in/gqc--ihQ

VESSEL REVIEW: Thai/Australian builder SeaCat Ships recently delivered a new semi-displacement catamaran vessel to local tour operator Sapphire Coastal Adventures. 'Whale Dreamer' was designed by SeaCat affiliate SeaSpeed Designs. SeaCat said the bespoke aluminium catamaran has been purpose-built for operations in Sydney’s exposed coastal waters. The vessel has an LOA of 23.4 metres (76.8 feet), a beam of eight metres (26 feet), a draught of only 1.65 metres (5.41 feet), a crew of five, and space for 145 passengers. Based on SeaCat's semi-displacement deep-vee hull platform, 'Whale Dreamer' delivers enhanced seakeeping performance in offshore conditions. The vessel provides a smooth and controlled ride in swell, with reduced slamming and excellent stability, ensuring passenger comfort. SeaCat Ships Co., Ltd. • Yanmar • Garmin • Garmin Australia & New Zealand https://lnkd.in/gk85pXRH

OPINION: "With its Pacific fleet, Russia seeks to complicate the strategic calculus of US allies in North Asia, such as Japan and South Korea, in a Taiwan invasion scenario by threatening to hinder efforts to come to Taiwan’s aid. Russia’s highly concentrated fleet of quiet nuclear-powered submarines could cut Japanese and South Korean undersea cables in ways that would prove more difficult for China’s currently noisier submarines. "Russia’s advanced missile strike capabilities constitute a further threat. Missiles launched from the Russian-controlled parts of the Sea of Japan or the Sea of Okhotsk off Japan’s northern coast would give the Japanese much less time to respond than those coming from closer to China. A German defence strategy document issued on April 22 envisions a scenario in which the Russian Pacific Fleet is used to tie up US forces, thereby complicating US deployments to Europe to resist a simultaneous Russian invasion of the Baltic states. "Russia’s participation in a Pacific conflict is not guaranteed, and its European interests may well take precedence. However, Russia has developed the impetus and the means to assist China militarily in the Pacific by complicating the strategic planning of key Australian and US partners." https://lnkd.in/gnE2cMdg

VESSEL REVIEW: Melbourne, Australia-based unmanned systems manufacturer C2 Robotics has commissioned and christened a new large unmanned undersea vehicle (UUV) slated for the US military. C2 said the Speartooth large UUV has been designed to deliver scalable, cost-effective undersea capability across intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) and strike missions. The UUV was originally unveiled in 2022 as the result of a collaboration between C2 and the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). US Navy • C2 Robotics • Thales https://lnkd.in/gCzEc-Xb

AWARDS 2025: "One of three new high-performance patrol boats delivered to the New South Wales Police Force by Australian builder Norman R Wright and Sons (NRW), 'Sea Hawk' represents extreme quality and operability across the board. "A twin inboard diesel propulsion system delivers a top speed of 35 knots, excellent fuel efficiency, and a range of 250 nautical miles, making the boats highly capable for extended offshore operations. She can also turn almost within her own length without needing a bow thruster. "Built from lightweight, high-strength epoxy/foam core E-glass and carbon composite, 'Sea Hawk' provides excellent seakeeping in heavy conditions while offering significantly improved crew comfort and amenity for multi-day missions." Norman R. Wright & Sons https://lnkd.in/gsG569Q4

OPINION: "Japan and Australia maintain excellent relations across all dimensions of international relations including trade, diplomacy and military-to-military links, as well as having a common perception of the likely threats in the Western Pacific in the foreseeable future. "Given the depth of this request, to make leasing a realistic option, Australia will need to begin engagement with Japan immediately. Leaving aside the political and diplomatic dimensions, a significant number of practical matters would need to be put in train as soon as possible, such as determination of costs, funding, industrial production rates and military-to-military discussions. "A sovereign submarine capability is a core requirement for Australia’s defence over the next two decades. Given there are known risks that could prevent that happening, exploring a relatively modest alternative seems prudent. To ensure this alternative is available when we need it to be, Australia should start pursuing it now. There is no better time than Takaichi’s visit to Australia." https://lnkd.in/gKdbwu8U

VESSEL REVIEW: Australian fishing company Austral Fisheries has taken delivery of a new longlining vessel built by Båtbygg of Norway. Designed by Norwegian naval architecture firm Marin Teknikk, 'Austral Odyssey' is equipped to take on the harsh operating conditions in the Heard Island and McDonald Islands toothfish fishery in the Southern Ocean some 4,100 kilometres (2,500 miles) southwest of Perth. Designed from the keel up to minimise environmental impact and optimise product quality, the 68.85- by 14.6-metre (225.9- by 47.9-foot) 'Austral Odyssey' incorporates advanced fishing systems, moonpool line recovery, efficient catch handling, processing systems, and a total capacity of 700 tons. The vessel’s hull was built in Poland while final outfitting took place at Båtbygg’s facilities in Raudeburg. Marin Teknikk AS • Brunvoll AS • Allweiler • Atlas Copco • Blokland Group • Sperre Air Power • Høglund • Mustad Autoline AS • Alfa Laval • Maritime Montering • Libra-Plast AS • Jets Group https://lnkd.in/gQEuUxZh

AWARDS 2025: "This versatile, multi-purpose fish farm support workboat recently delivered to New Zealand was designed by Australian firm Southern Ocean Solutions (SOS) and built in Vietnam. "Its highly flexible, multi-functional layout and efficient design were tailored for demanding aquaculture operations, and 'Whekenui' supports a wide range of daily tasks including feed transport and discharge, mort recovery, mooring support, towing, power supply, personnel transport, and data collection around both inshore and offshore salmon leases. "With self-contained accommodation for five crew and strong performance in exposed offshore conditions, 'Whekenui' is a highly capable, efficient workboat purpose-built for modern New Zealand salmon farming." https://bit.ly/4tOYthR

OPINION: "When we scan across financial years, we can see how schedule estimates have changed over time and assess whether the DOD is getting better at estimating schedule. Considering the increasing build times discussed above, it’s not surprising that we see delays reported in many years. In FY20, 13 of 15 boats had delayed schedules compared to the previous year (the two exceptions had not actually started construction). The subsequent year, FY21, it was 14 of 15. In FY23 15 of 17 boats had delayed schedules, with an average additional delay of 21 months, over a year and a half, with some over two and a half years. "The trials and tribulations of the Virginia program’s schedule are not news. The question is whether it has improved since AUKUS was announced in September 2021. The first post-AUKUS budget was FY23 with its serious additional delays, but since the budget came out only six months after the announcement, it would be unfair to somehow associate a lack of improvement with AUKUS. FY24 and FY25 seemed to indicate things were stabilising, with only a small number of relatively small additional delays in each. "But the program may simply have been denying the facts on the ground, because in FY26 there was a return to form with 18 of 19 boats reporting delays—the only exception again being one boat that had not yet started construction. Nevertheless, the news in the FY27 budget documentation that was just released may indicate some improvement. Eight Virginias show additional delays, but only in the order of three or four months. That looks like progress, but FY24 and FY25 also looked good until the really bad news in FY26." https://lnkd.in/gzP_j9HK