Construcciones Yamaro: ANI awards contract for submarine construction yard

ANI is progressing development of the Nuclear-Powered Submarine Construction Yard at Osborne, South Australia. (Image: ANI)

Australian Naval Infrastructure (ANI) has appointed a joint venture between Laing O’Rourke Construction Australia and Amentum Australia as Capability Partner for the development and delivery of the Nuclear-Powered Submarine Construction Yard at Osborne, South Australia.

The appointment follows a further $4.6 billion Australian Government equity investment in ANI to support delivery of the facility, bringing the government’s total equity contribution to $8.5 billion for the project.

ANI is leading delivery of the Nuclear-Powered Submarine Construction Yard and supporting infrastructure needed for the future construction of SSN-AUKUS submarines at Osborne. The project forms part of the AUKUS Nuclear-Powered Submarine Pathway announced by the Commonwealth Government in March 2023.

The appointment will expand ANI’s delivery capability as the facility prepares for major construction, bringing additional specialist expertise, systems and delivery capacity into its team.

The Laing O’Rourke and Amentum joint venture will work alongside ANI through the Integrated Delivery Office in the Adelaide CBD, with key program delivery roles embedded within ANI’s existing 200-strong workforce. The joint venture was selected through an international process and brings experience in complex infrastructure delivery, including nuclear-licensed facilities in the UK.

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“The Nuclear-Powered Submarine Construction Yard is one of the most significant infrastructure undertakings in Australia’s history and will be central to enabling Australia’s future nuclear-powered submarine capability,” said ANI managing director Andrew Seaton.

“ANI is leading delivery of this nationally important project and building the capability needed to deliver infrastructure of exceptional scale, complexity and national significance. As the project moves towards major construction, this appointment brings additional specialist expertise and delivery capacity around our team.

“Laing O’Rourke and Amentum bring proven experience in complex infrastructure delivery, international nuclear infrastructure expertise and program delivery capability. Working alongside ANI, they will help us prepare for and deliver the next phase of major construction activity, while continuing to build sovereign capability here in South Australia.”

Mark Dimmock, managing director of Laing O’Rourke Australia, described the contract as a defining moment for Australia’s defence industry.

“Drawing on our local infrastructure experience and international nuclear capability, we are proud to stand alongside our partner Amentum and our client ANI to deliver an asset that will strengthen Australia’s security for generations,” said Dimmock.

Mark Whitney, president of energy and environment at Amentum, said the project will help develop Australia’s sovereign nuclear capability.

“We bring more than 60 years of global expertise in nuclear submarine programs, significant nuclear licensee experience, independent regulator exposure and a clear pathway for growing enduring Australian nuclear capability,” said Whitney.

Kim Katheklakis, managing director of Amentum Australia, said the company is proud to partner with Laing O’Rourke on the project.

“Together, we will support ANI with hands-on leadership across key areas of delivery, including governance, assurance, logistics, commissioning, digital engineering, supply chain quality, and integrating construction expertise into the design phase,” said Katheklakis.

The appointment follows the recent opening of Eurimbla Way, a new grade-separated road providing enabling infrastructure for the current shipyard and future Nuclear-Powered Submarine Construction Yard.

Construction is also underway on the Production Demonstration Facilities within the future yard, which will be used to test and validate production processes and procedures ahead of submarine construction at Osborne.

ANI is also expected to deliver the $502 million Skills and Training Academy Campus at Osborne by the end of 2027 to support training for the AUKUS submarine and shipbuilding workforce.

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