Brisbane builder wins multi million dollar contract for LNG ferries
A south-east Queensland boat builder has won a multi-million dollar contract to construct passenger ferries that will transport the Gladstone workers who will form the backbone of the state’s most important emerging industry.
(Media-Newswire.com) - A south-east Queensland boat builder has won a multi-million dollar contract to construct passenger ferries that will transport the Gladstone workers who will form the backbone of the state’s most important emerging industry.
Premier Anna Bligh announced Hemmant-based Aluminum Boats Australia would build three passenger ferries valued at $21 million which would be used to transport liquid natural gas workers between the port city and Curtis Island.
Ms Bligh said the decision by the company Gladstone LNG to award the major contract to the company based at the Brisbane Marine Industry Park was a major shot in the arm for the boat building sector and was an important next step in the evolution of the LNG industry.
“The marine industry was hit hard by the global financial crisis and this new contract will open new avenues for Aluminum Boats Australia,” Ms Bligh said.
“The fact that GLNG has ordered the ferries is also a sign of the broader economic benefits the LNG industry has to the wider Queensland economy.
“Aluminium Boats currently employ 80 staff and will require up to an additional 70 to meet the demands of LNG clients
“Down the track it’s anticipated a further 160 jobs will be sustained or created by this supply chain.
“This contract represents a diversification for the marine industry on the Bayside and opens up brand new markets.
“At the same time, the LNG sector is providing brand new and strong export opportunities for our local companies.”
Aluminium Boats Australia started operations in 1999 - first manufacturing a 10 metre fishing vessel – and the company has gradually grown in both the size and complexity of vessels manufactured.
Ms Bligh – who will govern the state from Gladstone for the next three days – said the development of the LNG Industry in Queensland represents a once in a lifetime opportunity.
“Never before have we seen an industry emerge from being largely conceptual to such an important export industry in such a short period of time.
“It has the capacity to create 18,000 direct and indirect jobs and generate royalties to Queensland of over $850 million each year within the next decade.
“Already, with the Queensland Curtis LNG and Gladstone LNG projects $31 billion in capital expenditure has been committed and, in total, $66 billion in LNG projects are on the table.”
By 2020, Australia will become the third largest global supplier of LNG globally and Queensland-produced LNG will be exported to China, Japan, Korea, Singapore, and Chile.
Media: 3224 4500
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