Intertek Expands Testing Support for ASC Shipbuilding’s Hunter Class Frigate Program in Australia
13 Dec 2024
Ensuring quality and safety through expert-led testing solutions
Intertek, a leading Total Quality Assurance provider to industries worldwide, has been contracted by ASC Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of BAE Systems Australia, to provide non-destructive testing, destructive testing and materials testing solutions for the construction of ship units and blocks for ASC’s Hunter Class Frigate (HCF) Program.
Following the successful completion of services provided during the prototype scope of the program, Intertek is contracted to provide technical services that support construction of the Hunter class frigates. Non-destructive testing such as ultrasonic testing and radiographic testing, destructive testing such as tensile testing and chemical analysis, welder qualifications, and associated quality inspections will take place at the Osborne Naval Shipyard, South Australia, and Intertek Adelaide Inspection Services’ (AIS) laboratory in Adelaide.
Non-destructive and similar testing techniques are vital for ensuring the safe and efficient operation of equipment and assets. Intertek experts utilise data captured during these tests to detect defects and irregularities. Early detection helps owners and operators make decisions that help avoid damage, operating inefficiencies and in-service failure.
The HCF Program is the largest ever surface ship project in Australia’s defence history. Intertek’s AIS team’s long-standing history with ASC Shipbuilding will continue for years to come as the first three Hunter class frigates are built and delivered to the Royal Australian Navy. As this first batch commences sea trials, construction of three more frigates will begin at the shipyards. The state-of-the-art frigates will not only be used by the Royal Australian Navy for defence, but also for humanitarian and disaster relief efforts.
Simon Mortimore, General Manager, Intertek AIS, said: “Through AIS, Intertek has had a long association with shipbuilding in South Australia, and we are very pleased to be able to extend our great working partnership with BAE Systems Australia on the batch one production of the Hunter Class Frigate Program. Intertek’s uncompromising commitment to quality, safety and sustainability, backed by the global expertise of our people, pioneering technological innovations and our science‐based customer excellence advantage, allows us to continue delivering the technical services that BAE Systems has come to expect. The award of this contract cements Intertek’s AIS team as a leading provider of Total Quality Assurance solutions and inspection services in South Australia, and we are proud to be part of such an important program.”
Acquisition Director for BAE Systems Australia – Maritime, Andy Coxall, welcomed the contract award with Intertek AIS. “The Hunter program is embedding a sovereign continuous naval shipbuilding capability in Australia, and our work with Australian suppliers is key to this,” Andy said. “The exceptional quality we have achieved, first on prototype blocks and now on units which make up part of the first Hunter class frigate, is a testament to the highly skilled people we have working at the Osborne Naval Shipyard.”
For Media Information:
Please contact:
Simon Mortimore
simon.mortimore@intertek.com
About Intertek
Intertek is a leading Total Quality Assurance provider to industries worldwide.
Our network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices in more than 100 countries, delivers innovative and bespoke Assurance, Testing, Inspection and Certification solutions for our customers' operations and supply chains.
Intertek is a purpose-led company to Bring Quality, Safety and Sustainability to Life. We provide 24/7 mission-critical quality assurance solutions to our clients to ensure that they can operate with well-functioning supply chains in each of their operations.
Our Customer Promise is: Intertek Total Quality Assurance expertise, delivered consistently, with precision, pace and passion, enabling our customers to power ahead safely.
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