27 Sep 2019

Naval Ship Management wins Naval Business of the Year

HMAS Canberra prepares to come alongside at Fleet Base West, marking the first berthing of Canberra Class Landing Helicopter Dock at HMAS Stirling. *** Local Caption *** In early March 2019, Canberra Class Landing Helicopter Dock ship HMAS Canberra (L02) berthed at Fleet Base West in Western Australia. HMAS Canberra had been participating in Exercise Ocean Explorer 19 and this was the first time a Canberra Class ship had berthed at HMAS Stirling.

Babcock’s Joint Venture, Naval Ship Management (NSM), Australia’s first and only dedicated warship sustainment company, was awarded the title of Naval Business of the Year, by Defence Connect last night at the inaugural Australian Defence Industry Awards 2019.

The awards night, which was held in Canberra, recognised Australia’s top defence industry professionals and businesses across 13 individual and 19 group categories. Western Australian headquartered NSM, was shortlisted for two of those awards – Major Defence Contractor of the Year and Naval Business of the Year.

To win Naval Business of the Year is evidence of the value that the NSM business model delivers to Defence. The award also highlights the trust the company has earned in their contributions to the sustainment of the Australian ANZAC Class Frigates, as well as the sustainment of the Landing Helicopter Docks and their associated Landing Crafts.

Over the course of the night the defence industry was recognised as a fundamental input to capability. The awards highlighting that our nation’s defence is only as good as the people and organisations that support the defence supply chain. Companies like NSM not only contribute to national security but also drive innovation, economic growth and workforce development.

Joe Smith, General Manager of NSM, said:

“We are very proud to win this award, we have a fantastic team dedicated to working with the Australian Defence Force and ensuring that we remain responsive to the needs of the navy, transparent in our business model and connected across our supply chain. Above all, our commitment to the sustainment and safety of the operations is what underpins our success.”

Within the contracts that NSM has been awarded, the joint venture has publically committed to maximising opportunities for Australian industry through engaging their existing supply chain and working with potential new Australian suppliers. This is good news for the state, as defence contracts continue to be fiercely competed for across Australia.

Smith said, “NSM is committed to supporting small-to-medium sized businesses throughout the Australian maritime sector, in particular we are proud to deliver on our commitment to help create a continuous naval shipbuilding and sustainment industry within Australia and to support the Western Australian Defence and Defence Industries Strategic Plan.”