Tenix delivers NZ Multi-role Vessel

Tenix Defence today delivered an 8,000-tonne multi-role vessel - to become HMNZS CANTERBURY - to the New Zealand Ministry of Defence and Royal New Zealand Navy.

In a ceremony at Tenix's dockyard at Williamstown, Melbourne, Tenix Chairman Paul Salteri handed over the vessel to the New Zealand Secretary of Defence, John McKinnon, and New Zealand Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral David Ledson.

The MRV is the first of seven ships being constructed for New Zealand under the NZ$500m Project Protector. It was built by Tenix sub-contractor Merwede in the Netherlands, and sailed to Australia in September last year for final fit-out.

Tenix Group Managing Director and CEO, Greg Hayes, said the delivery was an important milestone for the company.

"Tenix Defence selected the design of this ship, won the contract against strong international competition and managed construction of the MRV in the Netherlands,� he said.

"With major contracts for Australia under its belt, Tenix continues to strengthen its shipbuilding capabilities with Project Protector and is actively pursuing further work in Australia and overseas.

"These contracts provide jobs and build skills and capabilities, not just at Tenix, but among hundreds of Australian and New Zealand suppliers and sub-contractors.

"We build prosperity, and we're proud of it,� Mr Hayes said.

The 131-metre long MRV can carry 250 troops and their equipment and land them - if wharfage is not available - using two 59-tonne Landing Craft Medium carried aboard and loaded via a stern ramp. It is ice-strengthened, has its own Super Seasprite helicopter, and can carry four additional NH-90 helicopters. It has a range of 8,000 miles and a top speed of more than 19 knots.

As part of Project Protector, Tenix is also constructing two 1600-tonne Offshore Patrol Vessels at Williamstown (the first launched last year) and four 340-tonne Inshore Patrol Vessels at its yard at Whangarei in New Zealand.