A TEAM of Tasmanian manufacturing firms have launched a bid to build up to 21 new patrol boats for Pacific nations. The cluster of companies are hoping to secure a $2 billion contract to replace and maintain the vessels. The group, known as TasPac, have been led by two local shipping giants with support from the state government. They submitted a tender application to the Commonwealth government last week. Premier Will Hodgman said if Tasmania scored a larger share of defence spending, the effects would ripple right across the state. ''There is huge potential for Tasmanian industry, with work to replace the boats estimated to be worth several hundreds of millions of dollars and ongoing maintenance worth over a billion dollars,'' Mr Hodgman said. ''A successful Tasmanian bid would generate state-wide economic growth, from INCAT in the state’s south to Haywards in the North and William Adams Caterpillar in the North West.'' State Growth Minister Matthew Groom said he had been pushing hard at home and in Canberra to spruik Tasmania's case. ''Tasmania has tremendous capability in naval shipbuilding and repair services that suit a project such as the Pacific patrol boats,'' Mr Groom said. ''The Tasmanian tender, led by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems Australia and UGL, has united some of the greats in our manufacturing industry and we will continue to strongly support this bid.''
A TEAM of Tasmanian manufacturing firms have launched a bid to build up to 21 new patrol boats for Pacific nations.
The cluster of companies are hoping to secure a $2 billion contract to replace and maintain the vessels.
The group, known as TasPac, have been led by two local shipping giants with support from the state government.
They submitted a tender application to the Commonwealth government last week.
Premier Will Hodgman said if Tasmania scored a larger share of defence spending, the effects would ripple right across the state.
''There is huge potential for Tasmanian industry, with work to replace the boats estimated to be worth several hundreds of millions of dollars and ongoing maintenance worth over a billion dollars,'' Mr Hodgman said.
''A successful Tasmanian bid would generate state-wide economic growth, from INCAT in the state’s south to Haywards in the North and William Adams Caterpillar in the North West.''
State Growth Minister Matthew Groom said he had been pushing hard at home and in Canberra to spruik Tasmania's case.
''Tasmania has tremendous capability in naval shipbuilding and repair services that suit a project such as the Pacific patrol boats,'' Mr Groom said.
''The Tasmanian tender, led by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems Australia and UGL, has united some of the greats in our manufacturing industry and we will continue to strongly support this bid.''
