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A significant milestone in Australia’s continuous naval shipbuilding program has been reached with the laying of the keel for NUSHIP Carpentaria, the sixth Arafura Class offshore patrol vessel (OPV).
The ceremony took place on Friday, 29 August, at Civmec’s Henderson naval shipyard and manufacturing facility in Western Australia. The keel laying, a tradition dating back centuries, marks the official start of a warship’s construction and life. As part of the event, two junior shipbuilders placed a coin beneath the keel in a symbolic gesture believed to bring good fortune and safe passage to the vessel.
The occasion was attended by senior Navy officials, including Rear Admiral Michael Houghton, head of patrol boats and specialist ships, who emphasised both the heritage and future importance of the OPV program.
“Keel laying is an important naval tradition, one that signals the beginning of a ship’s journey,” RADM Houghton said.
He added, “The OPV program is also a cornerstone of continuous naval shipbuilding in Australia, sustaining local jobs and ensuring that our industry’s skills and technology continue to grow. By 2030, Defence investment in a sovereign naval shipbuilding and sustainment enterprise is expected to support around 8,500 jobs nationwide.”
The Arafura Class is being introduced to patrol and secure Australia’s maritime borders, operate alongside the Evolved Cape Class patrol boats, and support humanitarian and disaster relief efforts. Designed as a versatile platform, the OPVs are able to operate across long distances and can be reconfigured to undertake a wide range of missions previously divided among several different classes of vessels.
Civmec, which acquired Luerssen Australia on 1 July as part of a consolidation of its naval shipbuilding operations, is constructing four of the OPVs in Western Australia.
According to Civmec general manager defence, Mark Clay, the milestone reflects the company’s pride in contributing to the Royal Australian Navy’s future. “Every plate welded and block assembled embodies our commitment to strengthening the fleet,” Clay said. “We wish fair winds to NUSHIP Carpentaria and all involved in her build and future service.”
The first two Arafura Class vessels were built at Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia, with HMAS Arafura commissioned into service on 28 June this year. NUSHIP Eyre is due for delivery later in 2025, while NUSHIP Pilbara, the first of the Henderson-built OPVs, will be launched before year’s end.
