Fincantieri Prepares for SEA 5000 with Local Build

09 April 2018

A concept image of Fincantieri's SEA5000 FREMM (image : fincantieri)

Fincantieri Australia announced that two South Australian shipbuilders have each been awarded a contract to build cruise ship blocks as part of the Italian shipbuilder’s start-up of local operations.

MG Engineering has been selected to build two 22.3-ton blocks, each 11.25m in length, 8.6m in width and 7m in height, which will be constructed at the company’s Adelaide shipyard. Ottoway Engineering will construct one 23-ton block at its Whyalla facilities, 18m in length, 7.5m in width and 4m in height.

“Ottoway Engineering is pleased to have been selected to participate in Fincantieri’s inaugural Australian shipbuilding construction project," Ottoway Engineering’s CEO, Stephen Young said.

"We welcome this opportunity to showcase our capability, learn new skills and contribute to forming a strong relationship between Australian block builders and leading, global shipbuilding companies, such as Fincantieri."

All three cruise blocks will form part of a cruise ship’s superstructure. The two constructed by MG Engineering will sit on the port and starboard sides of the ship and will be dedicated to accommodation areas. The block constructed by Ottoway Engineering will be located in the central part of the ship and will be dedicated to technical zones where emergency generators are located.

“We’re pleased to welcome two fantastic South Australian companies, MG Engineering and Ottoway Engineering, to our global supply chain," chairman of Fincantieri Australia, Dario Deste said. "Fincantieri’s commercial strength and extensive network of global projects make it the ideal partner for local Australian companies to expand their business activities with, ensuring win-win solutions for all."

An estimated 1,000 square meters of Australian steel will be used, which is enough to cover four tennis courts. At a total of 52 tons, roughly the weight of six buses, Australian steel will form 86 per cent of the overall weight of the three blocks.

Construction is expected to employ approximately 40-50 local workers across the two SA sites. The blocks will be built by mid-2018.

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