Serco Australia has been selected as the preferred tenderer to design and build the new marine freight vessel for Lord Howe Island on 20 November 2025.
Serco Australia has extensive experience in complex shipbuilding projects, including Australian defence submarines and the RSV Nuyina, the state-of-the-art Antarctic icebreaker.
Serco has partnered with highly respected ship Australian naval architecture designer firm, International Maritime Consultants (IMC), a well-regarded Australian vessel design company which has prepared the vessel’s bespoke concept design.
The vessel will be built to service Lord Howe Island’s residents and visitors for the next 40 years, with the new fortnightly freight service commencing in April 2027. The ship currently servicing the island, the MV Island Trader, will continue operating until this time.
The new vessel for Lord Howe Island will be designed and built to class with a world-leading classification society. The vessel will go into service as a Domestic Commercial vessel under the National Standard for Commercial Vessels (NSCV) Class 2B.
Serco will also engage respected Australian company, Maritime Survey Australia to conduct the initial survey for the vessel design and to conduct all vessel electrical design and approval tasks to ensure that the vessel’s electrical components comply with AMSA requirements and Australian standards.
Serco Australia will bring Australian naval architecture and project delivery experience to this unique and once in a generation new vessel for Lord Howe Island and showcase Australian maritime leadership by a respected Australian shipbuilding company.
Further information is also provided at Frequently asked questions | Lord Howe Island Board
For enquiries, please email the project team at [email protected].