ASX-listed shipbuilder Austal has delivered its fifth of eight Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats to the Royal Australian Navy.
The vessel, ADV Cape Woolamai was officially accepted by the Commonwealth of Australia on 22 June 2023.
Austal chief executive officer Paddy Gregg said the delivery of the fifth Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat again highlights Austal’s proven shipbuilding capabilities, efficiency and productivity from the Henderson, Western Australia shipyard.
“With the delivery of every Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat, Austal is demonstrating the capacity, capability, and expertise to construct naval vessels for Australia to the highest quality, efficiently,” he said.
“This latest vessel, the ADV Cape Woolamai, is the fifth we have delivered in just 15 months. We’re launching and delivering a new patrol boat every three months, following approximately 12 months construction.”
Mr Gregg said the company remains on track to deliver all eight Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats on schedule in mid-2024.
The 58-metre aluminium monohull patrol boat is the fifth of eight to be delivered to the Royal Australian Navy since the project commenced in May 2020.
The first four Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats, Cape Otway, Cape Peron, Cape Naturaliste, and Cape Capricorn were delivered within a 12-month period from March 2022. The sixth Evolved Cape-class patrol Boat, the ADV Cape Pillar, was launched at Austal’s Henderson, Western Australia shipyard earlier this month.
The Evolved Capes can accommodate up to 32 people. The patrol boats will be used for a wide variety of constabulary and naval missions.
Austal Australia is also contracted to deliver 22 steel Guardian-class Patrol Boats to the Commonwealth of Australia under the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project (SEA3036-1) and has delivered 15 vessels since 2018.
