Aussie firm, Aboitiz unit team up for AFP deal bid

The local unit of Australian shipbuilding giant Austal is partnering with Aboitiz Construction Inc. to build new vessels for the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Aboitiz Construction, a subsidiary of Aboitiz & Co., said it had signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Austal Philippines Pty Ltd. ahead of the tender of six new offer shore patrol vessels (OPVs) of the AFP.

Aboitiz Construction earlier designed, developed, and built six assembly bays in Austal’s expanded shipbuilding facility in Balamban, Cebu. The newly expanded assembly bays will allow OPVs to be constructed right here in the country.

“In the MOA, Austal has identified Aboitiz Construction as the potential local subcontractor in the event that it succeeds in its bid,” the company said in a statement.

“Aboitiz Construction offers a competitive advantage because it operates a fabrication shop beside the Austal shipyard within the Balamban economic zone in West Cebu,” it added.

Aboitiz Construction said it would undertake the cutting and fabrication of the vessel’s steel hulls.

“Our record of repeat international orders throughout these years will show the quality and competitiveness of our fabrication services,” Alberto A. Ignacio Jr., Aboitiz Construction president and COO, said in the statement.

“We are equally optimistic about this partnership as we further demonstrate our growing capability as a trusted local contractor for international customers, further enhancing our brand promise to advance business and communities,” he added.

Aboitiz Construction has long years of experience in shipbuilding. One of its largest customers is Tsuneishi Heavy Industries (Cebu) Inc., a venture between Japan’s Tsuneishi Group and Aboitiz & Co.