AMC launches maritime engineering hub with ASSISTance
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Posted by Max Berry
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13 November, 2025
AUSTRALIAN Maritime College has announced a new hub for maritime engineering and innovation based at AMC’s Launceston campus, part of the University of Tasmania.
Established in partnership with the Federal Government’s ASSIST (Australian Standardised Shipyard Infrastructure Strategy) Maritime program, Maritime Sustainment Infrastructure Engineering R&D Hub will bring together researchers, industry and government to improve ship maintenance, technology development and workforce training, strengthening Australia’s maritime infrastructure.
The facility will tackle real-world challenges in shipyard modernisation, digitisation and operational efficiency. Operating as a national centre for applied research, training and technology development, it aims to accelerate improvements across Australia’s maritime infrastructure.
“The partnership marks a major step in aligning maritime research with industry delivery,” AMC principal Mal Wise said. “Together, AMC and ASSIST Maritime are creating a space where innovation turns research into real-world capability – strengthening Australia’s maritime sustainment and industrial resilience.”
The ASSIST Maritime initiative proposes a sovereign-led, industry-backed approach to align maritime sustainment infrastructure with government priorities. As part of the national standardisation and innovation effort across Australia’s shipyard network, the new facility will focus on testing and validating advanced systems, materials and digital solutions.
ASSIST Maritime chairman Simon Butler said the new hub underscores the critical connection between research excellence and sovereign industrial capability.
“Across the industry, sustainment infrastructure has lagged advances in modern vessel design, contributing to higher costs, safety concerns, and reduced fleet availability. Working with AMC, we aim to close that gap – testing new systems and materials, advancing digital tools, and establishing standardised approaches that transform how Australia maintains maritime capability.”
ASSIST Maritime will establish a dedicated team in Launceston, creating high-value engineering, research and technical roles, while opening new opportunities for Tasmanian suppliers and SMEs to engage in the national sustainment shipyard effort.
The Maritime Sustainment Infrastructure and Engineering R&D Hub is scheduled to open in early 2026, with collaborative research programs launching soon afterwards.
