Aboitiz Construction Inc. signed a partnership agreement with Austal Philippines Pty Ltd. to bolster their bid with the Armed Forces of the Philippines to build six new offshore patrol vessels.
The agreement affirmed Austal Philippines’ confidence on Aboitiz Construction after it successfully designed, developed and constructed six assembly bays in Austal’s expanded shipbuilding facility in Balamban, Cebu. The newly-expanded assembly bays will allow OPVs to be constructed right here in the country.
Under the agreement, Austal named Aboitiz Construction as the potential local subcontractor in the event it succeeded in the bid. Aboitiz Construction offers a competitive advantage because it operates a fabrication shop beside the Austal shipyard within the Balamban economic zone in western Cebu.
Aboitiz Construction will potentially do the cutting and fabrication of the OPV steel hulls.
The tapping of a Filipino contractor with proven track record in fabrication and steelworks like Aboitiz Construction is seen to strengthen the bid of Austal, which combines Australian marine technology and world-class Filipino workmanship.
Austal Philippines president Wayne Murray is optimistic about the collaboration with Aboitiz Construction.
“Since 2011, Austal Philippines has become an integral partner of the global Austal Group in building revolutionary high-speed ships for governments, navies, and ferry and offshore operators around the world and we can contribute our expertise to help modernize the naval fleet of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Murray said.
“We believe that we can pursue the bid with Aboitiz Construction as our preferred local contractor for this endeavor,” he added.
Aboitiz Construction president and chief operating officer Alberto Ignacio Jr. assured Austal Philippines of its strong support in the collaboration, citing the many years of experience of the company in fabricating hulls and other steelwork for clients in Japan, US and Canada.
“Our record of repeat international orders throughout these years will show the quality and competitiveness of our fabrication services. We are equally optimistic about this partnership as we further demonstrate our growing capability as a trusted local contractor for international customers, further enhancing our brand promise to advance business and communities,” said Ignacio.