ASSIST Maritime is modernising Cairncross Dockyard as a world-class sustainment hub for Australia’s existing and future fleets.
Our Origins
A Foundation Built on Infrastructure Experience
ASSIST Maritime is modernising Cairncross Dockyard Brisbane as a world-class sustainment hub for Australia’s existing and future fleets. Using Cairncross as the ASSIST model, it brings together engineering design, infrastructure delivery, applied research, accreditation and new skills pathways to support the site’s reactivation in line with modern maritime sustainment requirements.
ASSIST Maritime draws on more than 20 years of maritime infrastructure experience in Australia and internationally. Since 2011, this has included project delivery in Australia, beginning with ferry terminals on the Brisbane River, where early work underscored how infrastructure design choices shape long-term performance, availability and cost. That experience is complemented by deep technical expertise within the team, including Robert Taylor, Vice President Engineering and recipient of the Albert A. Michelson Award from the Navy League of the United States, and by a unique affiliation with Giflo Steels supporting the exploration of advanced steel solutions for more modern shipyard infrastructure. Over time, this work has reinforced the value of more standardised approaches, which now underpin the broader ASSIST strategy being developed from Cairncross.
delivery partners
A Delivery Model Built on Trusted Partners
ASSIST Maritime leads a group of sovereign-capable partners and research organisations.
Each partner contributes specialised expertise across infrastructure delivery, research and innovation, operations and supply chains, supporting a more efficient and innovative approach to shipyard sustainment infrastructure while maintaining performance and reducing cost.
Five lines of effort
ASSIST Maritime organises its approach around coordinated lines of effort, each focused on a critical component of a modern, standardised maritime sustainment system and contributing to strengthening sovereign capability.
ASSIST Maritime is progressing Cairncross Dockyard Brisbane as the ASSIST model, bringing together engineering design, infrastructure delivery, applied research, advanced materials, accreditation and new skills pathways to support the reactivation of a nationally significant maritime site.
ASSIST Maritime’s applied R&D program draws on collaboration with AMC Search, the University of Sydney and Giflo Steels
Work is progressing through the Engineering and Training Office at the Common User Facility at AMC, advancing infrastructure design, smart technologies and workforce approaches for future shipyard systems, including research into corrosion and advanced materials in collaboration with Giflo Steels.
ASSIST Maritime will shape the operating model for dockyard readiness and sustainment, integrating infrastructure, systems and OEM requirements, with specialist technical and delivery partners engaged to perform operational roles as needed.
This line of effort focuses on strengthening existing material supply chains and developing new ones needed to support key shipyard systems and the materials that underpin them. This includes hydraulic shiplift systems, advanced steels, including ultra-high-strength grades, and new material applications shaped by applied research and aligned with national priorities for resilience and supply chain security.
Key partners include Giflo Steels Australia and Vulcan Steel Australia in support of new steel pathways for core sustainment infrastructure, the Australian Maritime College in support of applied research, and TAFE Queensland in support of workforce and training pathways.
Trigonomics contributes to the development of repeatable infrastructure delivery systems, combining modular construction approaches and smart build methods.
Sovereign sustainment capability
Strengthening Resilience and Efficiency
ASSIST Maritime is advancing a more structured approach to shipyard sustainment infrastructure to strengthen sovereign capability, support defence and commercial fleets, and improve efficiency and resilience across Australia’s maritime sustainment system.
Infrastructure That Delivers
Improving efficiency, reducing costs and strengthening the readiness of Australia’s maritime fleet.