Tenix shipyard prepares to bustle again

Tenix Whangarei welder Walter Suvalko, left, explains a new welding technique to be used at the site to Tenix Defence marine division general manager Dave Miller, Tenix group general manager of corporate and industrial affairs John Varnum and Tenix Whangarei production manager Colin Knox.John Stone Port Whangarei By Mike Dinsdale Work starts next month on naval contract At the moment it's just a big empty shed. But next month Whangarei's Tenix shipyard will be a hive of activity when new navy ships start taking shape at the site. Yesterday two of Tenix Defence's top brass _ group general manager of corporate and industrial affairs John Varnum and marine division executive general manager Dave Miller _ were in town to see how a $1.5 million upgrade of the site was going and to check on new welding techniques. Australian company Tenix Defence is due to reopen its Whangarei plant next month to build new boats for the New Zealand Navy. Tenix won the Government's $500 million Project Protector tender to build seven naval vessels, with much of the work to be done at its Whangarei shipyard. The contract is for one 130-metre, 8870-tonne, multi-role vessel; two 85-metre, 1600-tonne, offshore patrol vessels; and four 55-metre, 340-tonne, inshore patrol ships. Tenix will build all the inshore patrol vessels and some of the modules for the offshore patrol vessels in Whangarei, adding up to $110 million to the economy over the next three years. Mr Miller said the first steel for the ships would start being fabricated at the Port Whangarei site next month with about a dozen or so new workers employed. The site will be up to full steam by the end of this year when about 100 staff will be involved, including many who worked on the Anzac frigate project at the site. Yesterday he and Mr Varnum got to see first-hand a new welding technique designed to save time and make the welding process easier on the new ships. The surface tension transfer (TSS) process was developed for pipes which could only be welded from the outside. Tenix is taking the technique a step further and using it to weld the hulls on the ships at Whangarei for the first time. Tenix New Zealand general manager Allister Taylor said the technique meant that welders would have to weld the hull from the outside only, whereas previously they would have had to weld inside and outside the vessel along the same joint. Mr Miller said as well as the 100 or so staff that will be employed directly at the site, other jobs will be created in the supporting industry in the district. While the contract is for three years work at the Whangarei site, he was hopeful that more work could be secured for the site for afterward. Mr Miller said Tenix was hoping to secure a large contract for its Australian site in three years and if that came off, some of the work may be carried out in Whangarei.