DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999, Fax: 02 6265 1545
MSPA 420/09
Tuesday, 8 December 2009
CONVERSION OF HMAS SUCCESS TO INTERNATIONAL
MARITIME ORGANISATION COMPLIANCE
Yesterday, 7 December 2009, Defence released a Request for Tender for modification
of the Royal Australian Navy tanker HMAS Success to achieve International
Maritime Organisation compliance. The conversion involves the installation of a
second hull internal to the ship which will reduce the risk of cargo spillage in the
event of a serious incident. It is intended that potential contractors selected in an
Invitation to Register Interest, conducted in early 2009, may respond and contribute to
this project.
The complex modifications will be undertaken to ensure the operational flexibility of
the ship will not be impeded and worlds best practice for the protection of the marine
environment is achieved. Success will continue to provide valuable national and
overseas service to the nation in an era when more stringent regulations for prevention
of marine pollution have been introduced by the International Maritime Organisation.
The Royal Australian Navy is committed to exemplary environmental stewardship
and will have a fully compliant double hull tanker fleet when HMAS Success re-
enters service after this conversion in 2011. HMAS Sirius was commissioned in 2006
as the Navys first double hulled tanker.
Potential contractors for this conversion include both Australian and overseas ship
yards, and in some cases Australian and overseas companies are planning to enter into
a partnership.
This decision reflects the ongoing Defence commitment to compliance with all
applicable civilian regulations, high standards of organisational governance and best
practice of corporate and international citizenship.
Media contact:
Defence Media Liaison:
02 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664