LR to provide classification services for the delivery of 18 landing craft medium to the Australian Army.

Lloyd’s Register (LR) has secured a contract worth A$11m ($7.2m) from Austal Defence Australia (ADA) to provide naval classification services for the Australian Army’s Landing Craft Medium (LCM) platform.

The agreement will see LR provide classification services throughout the LCM build program, supporting vessel quality, compliance and assurance from construction through to delivery.

The over A$1.029 billion Design and Build Tasking Statement for 18 LCM vessels is being delivered by ADA under the Strategic Shipbuilding Agreement (SSA) and represents a major investment in sovereign shipbuilding and defence capability.

LR personnel will be embedded at the Henderson shipyard in Western Australia for the duration of the program.

LR will work alongside ADA to verify that construction activities and quality processes meet agreed standards throughout the vessel build program.

The award further strengthens LR’s position within Australia’s growing naval shipbuilding sector, following recent involvement in major defence program including the Hunter Class Frigate program and other new-build and sustainment projects across the region.

Steve McDowall, Director Naval Business Australasia at Lloyd’s Register, said: “Australia is making a significant long-term investment in sovereign continuous Naval shipbuilding capability, and platforms such as the Landing Craft Medium are critical to that ambition.

“We are proud to support Austal the Australian Department of Defence and the Australian Army by providing independent classification and assurance throughout the build programme, helping ensure these vessels are delivered safely, efficiently and to the highest standards.

“This agreement builds on a long-standing relationship between LR and Austal and reflects the confidence both industry and defence organisations place in independent assurance as they deliver increasingly complex maritime programs.

David Lloyd, Vice President Naval and Government Business at Lloyds Register, said: “Lloyds Register is proud to partner with ADA and Defence Australia on this extremely important Landing Craft Medium build program for the Australian Army.  We are committed to bringing our wide-ranging Naval capabilities to assist in ensuring its success and further supporting the Australian continuous Naval shipbuilding program.

Gavin Stewart, Executive General Manager Austal Defence Australia, said: “We welcome the continuation of our long-standing relationship with Lloyd’s Register on this important program. Independent classification provides valuable assurance throughout the construction process and supports our commitment to delivering the highest quality capability for the Australian Army.”