THE AUSTRALIAN arm of UK-headquartered Serco has won a NSW Government contract to design and build a new vessel to carry Lord Howe Island’s freight supplies.
Serco says the project, part of the government’s Lord Howe Island Critical Infrastructure Program, will deliver a fit-for-purpose vessel designed to meet stringent environmental and biosecurity standards, helping provide critical protection for the native plant, bird and insect species present.
As part of the project, Serco representatives recently visited Lord Howe Island to meet with the local community and share early information about the new freight vessel.
The on island session brought together Serco’s project leadership team and delivery partner IMC Naval Architects, and NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water program managers, to outline the vessel’s design, capabilities, and construction timeline, and to answer questions directly from residents.
The visit covered how the project will move from design into delivery, ensuring the vessel is well understood and built to support the island’s needs for generations to come, the company said.
Last April the Lord Howe Island Board awarded Port Macquarie-based maritime business Birdon a two-year contract extension to provide the island’s essential sea freight service until the new ship is delivered.
The contract sees the 1981-built, 499 GT general cargo vessel Island Trader sail a minimum of 24 voyages per year, from Birdon’s Port Macquarie shipyard as it has since 2009; Birdon has operated the freight service since 2018.
A request for tender to build a new marine vessel (design and build) was released to eligible bidders on Monday 14 April 2025 and closed 25 July. A Scope of Services for the Request for Tender for a Marine freight operator was issued simultaneously.
Serco says the new vessel will ensure a reliable freight service for the island community, featuring roll-on roll-off and lift-on lift-off capability, with capacity for 35 ISO containers plus bulk items. The design prioritises environmental protection, biosecurity and operational efficiency, safe cargo operations, and minimising impacts on the island’s World Heritage environment.
L to R: IMC Naval Architects managing director Justin McPherson, Serco Defence project manager
Michael Lonsdale and Serco general manager defence David Astbury. Image: Serco
Serco boasts “a proven track record in maritime program management”, having introduced 129 vessels into Australian government service, including the research vessel/icebreaker, Nuyina, for the Australian Antarctic Division.
In total, the company manages around 270 defence and government maritime assets and provides the commercial crews to operate support vessels for the Royal Australian Navy. It has a permanent, nationwide footprint at the ports of Sydney, Jervis Bay, Cairns, Darwin, Rockingham, Hobart, Western Port, and Auckland.
David Astbury, general manager for Defence, Serco Asia Pacific, said winning the contract was a proud moment for Serco.
“This vessel will provide a vital freight lifeline for the community while meeting the highest standards of environmental protection and biosecurity," Mr Astbury said.
“Our team’s experience in delivering complex maritime projects ensures we will deliver a vessel that NSW and Lord Howe Island can rely on for decades to come.
“The project will also deliver broader economic and social benefits, including student placements for future maritime engineers, upskilling First Nations maritime capabilities, and engaging regional SMEs to maximise local industry participation."
Serco is the designer, integrator, and lead contractor for the No Mariner Required Ship (NOMARS) Defiant — a medium-sized Uncrewed Surface Vessel (MUSV) class autonomous platform, funded by the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Defiant represents a groundbreaking shift in naval architecture and autonomous maritime operations.
The concept is the first USV designed from the keel up with no provision for human crew, eliminating traditional constraints like berthing, galleys, and life-support systems. This radical design enables greater payload capacity, enhanced stealth, and significantly reduced operational costs.