Strategic adds AFP deal to order list

Henderson-based Strategic Marine has won a contract to provide three high-speed patrol vessels worth nearly $5 million for the Australian Federal Police.

The 16-metre boats will be used by Indonesian authorities to tackle people smuggling in the region.

"These high-speed patrol boats will be based at strategic locations across Indonesia as an active force in the ongoing fight against people smuggling," Federal Minister for Home Affairs Brendan O'Connor said.

The boats are expected to be delivered by the end of June.

Strategic Marine chief marketing officer Terry O'Connor said the vessels would be specifically designed for Indonesian conditions with the ability to pursue and intercept other vessels at high speed.

"This project illustrates the increased importance of effective maritime security and we anticipate there will be increased activity in this market as the threat of piracy and smuggling increases through many of the world's vital shipping routes," Mr O'Connor said.

"We are excited to have been provided this opportunity by the Australian Federal Police and look forward to delivering world class patrol vessels, designed to take on the operational challenges faced by today's law enforcement and defence departments."

The AFP deal follows on from Strategic's announcement last week that its Singapore shipyard had delivered its 12th boat to Malaysia for use in the oil and gas sector.

And Strategic also announced earlier this month it had won a contract to build a 27-metre work barge for Karratha-based Offshore Plant Hire.

Strategic Marine is currently contracted for more than AU$120 million in orders at its yards in Australia, Vietnam, Mexico and Singapore.