Baker McKenzie acts for ASC Shipbuilding Pty Ltd regarding its joint venture with Perth-based Forgacs Marine & Defence Pty Ltd (Forgacs, owned by Civmec Construction and Engineering Pty Ltd (Civmec)) to offer a low risk, commercial shipbuilding solution for the Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) program, known as SEA 1180. The OPV program is a Federal Government c.$3 billion project to build 12 new offshore patrol vessels for the Royal Australian Navy.

ASC Shipbuilding is the builder of Australia’s most advanced surface combatants, the Hobart Class Air Warfare Destroyers. The company has also confirmed that two of the three international ship designers shortisted for the program, Damen of the Netherlands and Lürssen of Germany, had both selected the Australian shipbuilder and Forgacs as their preferred partners for the OPV program, should either be awarded the tender later this year.

Baker McKenzie lead partner James Halliday stated: "We were delighted to act for our client, ASC Shipbuilding, which last month signed a memorandum of understanding with Forgacs to establish a Joint Venture company to construct OPVs, should Lürssen or Damen be successful in winning the OPV tender."

Mark Lamarre, Chief Executive Officer - ASC Shipbuilding, said the OPV build would create more than 300 ASC Shipbuilding jobs at its peak, with the company well-placed to provide a highly skilled shipbuilding team with experience on the Air Warfare Destroyer program.

James was assisted by Ben McLaughlin, Geoff Wood, Tom Gastrell, and Emily Hunter.