Australia has an acute shortage of wet and dry berths for large vessels. The ASSIST model at Cairncross offers significant additional capacity quickly and at low cost.
Infrastructure
A staged and integrated infrastructure system
At Cairncross, the ASSIST model brings together graving dock, crane, shiplift, wharf and sheltered hardstand infrastructure in a staged site configuration designed to restore and expand large-vessel sustainment capacity over time.
This staged approach prioritises early utility through the reactivation of the graving dock, while allowing additional lift, transfer, wharf and workspace infrastructure to be integrated as requirements evolve.
Site Capabilities
- Large capacity graving dock: with Lift-in/Lift-out Gate (** Gate installation Q4 2026)
- 1200T Crane for LILO dock gate and vessels**
- 100m x 24m x 12,000T max total lift capacity shiplift at E of site, expandable. RORO capability**
- Quayline extensions to main wharf, breasting wharf, finger wharf**
- Flexible covered workspaces on wharves and hardstands**
- Note: Adjacent to Hamilton Turning Basin
- Note: ** Planned Capabilities
Cairncross Dockyard Brisbane
A commercially viable sustainment system
At Cairncross, wet and dry berthing for large vessels is being brought together with planned shiplift and transfer systems, crane capacity, wharf infrastructure and hardstand areas as a more integrated sustainment system.
This configuration is designed to support defence and commercial activity through greater throughput, concurrent operations, out-of-water maintenance and more flexible site use.
It also provides a practical foundation for staged infrastructure delivery, modern fabrication approaches and supporting supply chains, reinforced by the site’s proximity to major redevelopment precincts and access to city-scale infrastructure, including workforce, TAFE, universities, schools and healthcare.
Work at Cairncross also informs scaled infrastructure solutions for other locations, including lighter and more deployable configurations suited to different operating environments in Australia and the Pacific.
Key characteristics
A Strategic Maritime Site
Cairncross Dockyard Brisbane offers a rare combination of location, exisiting infrastructure and site conditions suited to large vessel sustainment, while supporting lower construction costs and access to a skilled workforce.
Site capabilities
Berthing, sustainment and fabrication capability
CDB supports berthing, maintenance, sustainment and on-site fabrication, while also providing a live environment for test and evaluation and workforce training. Deep-water access, hardstand areas and existing site infrastructure allow vessels, systems, materials and people to be brought together in one place to support operational, commercial and training needs.
Engineering Innovations
Innovative engineering solutions incorporating novel designs to simplify fabrication, reduce weight, and simplify operation and associated training, without compromising performance.
Solutions
ASSIST 1200T Crawler Crane
High-capacity crawler crane capable of lifting vessels up to 50 metres and 600 tonnes, supporting dock gate installation, site construction and flexible shipyard operations, and able to be utilised as part of a smaller vessel sustainment package.
ASSIST Dome
Cyclone-rated dome structure (50m × 50m × 29m), expandable to 150m, providing protected, scalable infrastructure for shipyard operations and all-weather construction.
ASSIST F-1000 Girder
Simplified fabrication process, utilising ultra-high strength steel, delivering 1000-tonne capacity across a 24 metre span for shiplift platforms, dock gates and wharf infrastructure.
ASSIST Lift-in / Lift-out Dock Gate
Lift-in and lift-out dock gate system designed for rapid deployment, low initial cost and compliance with AS 1554 Grade 350 steel, ensuring simple operation and ongoing maintenance.
Sovereign capability
A National Demonstration Environment
Cairncross Dockyard Brisbane is also being positioned as a collaborative environment where industry, research organisations and technology partners can contribute to the development of maritime sustainment infrastructure.
Activities at the site bring together:
- Research institutions including AMC Search
- Platform OEMs supporting sustainment system design and testing
- Advanced manufacturing partners specialising in materials, systems and digital technologies
- Workforce development initiatives in partnership with TAFE Queensland, Weld Australia and training providers
This environment enables infrastructure concepts, engineering methods and operational systems to be applied and refined in practice, while supporting on-site training aligned with real delivery environments.
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Jobs supported across construction, operations and infrastructure innovation activities.
Queensland Industry
Strengthening Queensland’s industrial base and advanced manufacturing capability.
AUKUS Alignment
Supporting interoperability and sustainment priorities aligned with allied defence initiatives.
Sovereign Innovation
Advancing sovereign technologies and developing exportable intellectual property capability.
Infrastructure That Delivers
Improving efficiency, reducing costs and strengthening the availability of Australia’s maritime fleet.