NORSTA will be tasked with managing the maintenance of Royal Australian Navy (RAN) ships in Cairns, Queensland, Australia.
“We are proud to be part of a truly sovereign partnership which is the first of the RAN’s Regional Maintenance Centres for the RANs Plan Galelio Future Maritime Sustainment Model. The contract encompasses the management of maintenance of RAN ships at Cairns Australian-owned and controlled shipyards,” said Jim McDowell, CEO, Nova Systems.
“Nova Systems draw on our deep level skills to support the development of an innovative engineering and maintenance solution for the new Regional Maintenance Provider North East contract and will now, as part of Team NORSTA, continue to support NORSTA Maritime through a locally recruited and re-located team.”
Senior Systems Engineer Nick Hubbard (right) and Air Information and Space Industry Advisory Delivery Manager Dale Reece (centre) with Director Regional Maintenance Centre – North East Michael Saunders at the announcement event.
NORSTA Maritime has the capacity to service Australian and foreign ships in Cairns in the first agreement of its kind and will be a test site for further agreements.
“Nova Systems is excited to bring our team to Far North Queensland. This opportunity will see the creation of local jobs and a new regional presence for Nova Systems,” Mr McDowell said.
Minister for Defence, Peter Dutton, said: “This five-year $70m contract, will deliver maintenance management services (and) RMC North East will deliver world-class continuous maintenance that is consistent and streamlined, ensuring the navy has the vessels it needs, where and when needed.”