Austal Australia Delivers 8th Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat to Royal Australian Navy

03 November 2024

The eighth of ten Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats ADV Cape Schanck (313) (photos: Austal)

Austal Australia has delivered the eighth of ten Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats (ECCPB’s) under contract to the Royal Australian Navy.

The vessel, ADV Cape Schanck (313), is the eighth ECCPB to be constructed at Austal’s Henderson, Western Australia shipyard in four and half years.

Austal Limited Chief Executive Officer Paddy Gregg said Cape Schanck highlights Western Australia’s naval shipbuilding capability, productivity and reliability, and Austal Australia’s successful collaboration with industry and project partners to deliver eight patrol boats in four and half years.

“Austal Australia, with the help of our valued supply chain, industry and project partners, have now delivered eight Evolved Capes to the Royal Australian Navy in just four and half years. That’s an outstanding track record of productivity, with one 58 metre patrol boat delivered (on average) every 6 to 7 months, Mr Gregg said.

“We were awarded the Evolved Capes contract in May 2020 and now, less than 5 years later, we have delivered eight boats, despite the challenges of the COVID pandemic and in addition to the (now) 24 Guardian-class Patrol Boats we’re also delivering to the Commonwealth of Australia.

“The Western Australian naval shipbuilding industry should be incredibly proud of this impressive performance, which clearly demonstrates the Henderson Defence Precinct’s capability, productivity, and reliability. Austal Australia, and our 200+ supply chain partners are successfully contributing to the National Naval Shipbuilding Enterprise and Australia’s sovereign capability through the delivery of Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat Project.

“Our congratulations to the Royal Australian Navy on the delivery of ADV Cape Schanck and sincere thanks to the Austal Australia team, the Department of Defence and our supply chain partners in Western Australia and across the country, for their continued support.”

The SEA1445-1 Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat (ECCPB) project, initially constructing six 58-metre aluminium monohull patrol boats for the Royal Australian Navy from May 2020, was extended by two vessels in April 2022 and a further two vessels in February 2024, bringing the total to ten vessels. Two ECCPB’s have now been delivered in CY2024 and two remain under construction at Austal’s Henderson, Western Australia shipyard.

The Evolved Capes feature new, larger amenities to accommodate up to 32 people, improved quality of life systems and advanced sustainment intelligence systems that further enhance the Royal Australian Navy’s ability to fight and win at sea. The patrol boats will be utilised for a wide variety of constabulary and naval missions and play a critical role in Australia’s national security, as a high-performing, reliable and effective maritime asset.

In-service support for the Cape, Evolved Cape and Guardian-class Patrol Boat fleets operated by the Australian Border Force, Royal Australian Navy and Pacific Island nations is provided by Austal Australia through dedicated service centres located in Henderson, Western Australia; Cairns, Queensland; and Darwin, Northern Territory.

Austal Australia is also contracted to deliver 24 steel Guardian-class Patrol Boats to the Commonwealth of Australia under the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project (SEA3036-1) and has delivered 21 vessels since 2018.

(Austal)