Second NZ firm to bid for Navy upgrade

By ELLEN READ

A second New Zealand company has put its hand up to bid for the Navy vessel upgrade contract.

Auckland-based International Marine Services is teaming with Danish marine industries association Naval Team Denmark to chase the $500-million Government contract to re-equip the Navy.

"With the combination of Naval Team Denmark's experience and New Zealand industry capabilities, we can provide a similar winning formula that has worked for the Danish Government in upgrading their Navy," said International Marine Services managing director Wayne Shaw.

"This co-operation gives us immediate access to the world's best practices in disaster, pollution and naval defence responsibilities, together with added emphasis on peacekeeping, customs and fisheries surveillance tasks."

The Trade Commissioner for Denmark, Hans Peder Wagner, said Denmark had developed and implemented strategies that would suit New Zealand's requirements.

"Denmark has similar constraints to New Zealand with a relatively small Navy, operational cost considerations, civil defence responsibilities, local and foreign logistical liabilities and patrolling a large exclusive economic zone that includes sub-Arctic protection."

Almost half the New Zealand defence money will be spent on a new multirole vessel to support military operations, relief projects and to patrol New Zealand waters. The other $250 million will pay for at least two new speedy deep-water patrol boats, and for upgrading or replacing five inshore patrol boats.

Announcing the package in January, Defence Minister Mark Burton said New Zealand shipbuilding companies would be encouraged to submit proposals.

Tenders have yet to be called for but one New Zealand consortium of Tenix Shipbuilding and Babcock New Zealand, which worked together on the Anzac ships, have announced that they will tender to build and support the ships in New Zealand.

Strong interest is also expected from Singapore, Australia, Britain and South Korea.