Austal completes design review for Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement (PPB-R) Project

Australian shipbuilder Austal announced on Friday that the detailed design review (DDR) for the A$306 million pacific patrol boat replacement (PPB-R) project has been completed on time and in accordance with the contracted schedule.

The completion of the DDR marks the end of the design phase and the start of the production phase of the nineteen steel vessel program, awarded to Austal in May 2016.

The contract also has an option for two more vessels to be built for a new member of the program, Timor-Leste. Austal would build the vessels at an agreed fixed price should Timor-Leste accept the offer.

Announcing the milestone, Austal’s PPB-R project manager Matthew Klingberg highlighted the effective working relationship between Austal and the Commonwealth on the PPB-R Project.

“Achieving DDR on a Commonwealth shipbuilding project is a significant milestone, particularly as this was achieved within 8 months from the contract effective date. This was made possible by the dedicated efforts of both the Austal and Commonwealth teams, working together in an open and collaborative manner,” Klingberg said.

The PPB-R Project comprises the design, construction, delivery, training and sustainment of nineteen 40 metre patrol boats – to be gifted by the Commonwealth of Australia – to twelve Pacific Island nations as part of Australia’s new Pacific Maritime Security Program.

Construction of the Austal design will commence in Western Australia in April 2017, with deliveries scheduled from 2018 to 2023. Sustainment of the new fleet of vessels will be carried out by Austal from facilities in Cairns, Queensland.