Tasmania’s Maritime and Manufacturing Capabilities

Situated off the southeast corner of mainland Australia, bounded by Bass Strait and the Southern Ocean, lutriwita Tasmania is an island with a rich maritime history. For thousands of years, for the palawa Tasmanian Aboriginal people, and for the settlers that followed, our geographical location has necessitated a reliance on the sea.

Our waterways are and always have been vital trade routes. Nowadays, lutriwita Tasmania is home to a diverse, unique and highly impressive range of capabilities across the maritime domain. Tasmanians are recognised around the globe for performing with quiet mastery in shipbuilding and watercraft construction; maritime systems and equipment; port development and ship operations; and research, education and training.

As one of few places globally to achieve 100 per cent renewable electricity generation, Tasmania is well placed to meet the increasing demand for sustainably produced products and services for the maritime industry.

Tasmanian industry designs and manufactures systems for marine evacuation; thermal insulation and passive fire protection; submersible retrieval, sensing and marking; specialised marine antennas; and anchoring and chain management capabilities. Tasmania also produces a range of other unique and advanced systems and equipment including accommodation and habitability outfitting, bridge simulators and digital networks.

Tasmania Maritime Network

Representing and supporting Tasmania’s maritime industry is the Tasmania Maritime Network (TMN). The TMN is the leading maritime industry association incorporating innovative Tasmanian companies and organisations. The TMN has extensive membership across different maritime related businesses.

TMN members deliver a diverse range of products, services and advice of exceptional durability, reliability and quality - from ship building, engineering, manufacturing, safety, education and training to research and development.

To learn more about the TMN visit https://www.tmn.org.au/

Take the Tasmanian Commercial Maritime virtual tour: https://vr.tasmanian.com.au/

Learn more about Tasmania’s maritime advantages and capability across the maritime sector at: https://www.stategrowth.tas.gov.au/maritimeprospectus

Tasmanian ferry builders

Located at Prince of Wales Bay in southern Tasmania, shipbuilders Incat and Richardson Devine Marine Constructions (RDM) specialise in manufacturing high-speed and lightweight catamarans.

Incat sets the global benchmark in aluminium ship construction. Cutting edge design and manufacturing excellence developed over decades ensure Incat’s innovative, environmentally friendly fuelefficient ships deliver clean transportation solutions to its customers. Currently under construction at the Incat shipyard is the world’s largest lightweight, zero-emission ship. At 130 metres long, carrying 2100 passengers and 226 vehicles, the ferry will provide a quieter, smoother onboard experience for passengers and crew and will deliver significant environmental benefits for customer Buquebus. With the global focus on achieving net-zero and demand for decarbonisation across the transport industry, Incat is well placed to meet future demand for lightweight battery electric ships.

Visit Incat at https://incat.com.au/

RDM specialise in the manufacture of aluminium fast passenger ferries, luxurious overnight cruise vessels and offshore state of the art work boats for commercial operators around the globe. RDM’s customer centric approach, quality craftsmanship and innovative use of the latest marine equipment have seen them produce over 80 vessels in the past 34 years. With the ability to construct two vessels simultaneously, using 12 overhead cranes and prefabrication components produced in their nearby prefab facility, RDM use the latest technologies and a handson approach to deliver innovative custom builds.

Well-respected for delivering high-quality vessels, RDM has recently been awarded the New South Wales Government Tender for seven 24 metre passenger ferries to be delivered over the next two years. In delivering on this commitment, RDM will continue to support their highly skilled workforce and a strong Tasmanian supply chain.

Visit RDM Constructions at https://www.rdm.com.au/

For more information about Tasmanian Government support for the maritime and manufacturing industry in Tasmania, visit us at Interferry2023 booth 37.