HD hull in Australian waters

The hull of the first of the navy's two new large amphibious landing ships is in Australian waters and will reach Melbourne in a week.

The LHD01 hull has been transported from Spain to Australia by a Heavy Lift Ship, Blue Marlin.

The LHD hull will be unloaded and moved by tug to the BAE Systems Williamstown Shipyard for consolidation of the superstructure and other critical fitout work.

BAE Systems Director Maritime, Bill Saltzer said preparation works were complete and the Australian team are ready to start work on the next phase of the construction, as soon as it arrives.

“In the last few months, works have proceeded at a rapid pace as we prepare for the arrival of the first hull,” Saltzer said.

“Most recently as part of the preparation for the arrival, one of the largest permanently-based cranes in Australia has been assembled on Nelson Pier.”

Saltzer said the total mass of the crane and the counterweight is in excess of 800 tonnes.

He went on to say that the combined mass of the crane, support steelwork and the load during the first lift of the LHD blocks would be in excess of 1500 tonnes.

The first section of superstructure to be lifted weighed approximately 300 tonnes and would be lifted to a height of approximately 25 meters.

It then needed to be placed in exactly the right position for it to be joined to the deck of the LHD.

The LHD is expected to be introduced into Royal Australian Navy service in 2014.