Investment Attraction Fund recipient hits major milestone

22 November 2023

Australian-owned marine and underwater service provider Franmarine has taken its next step after receiving nearly $4 million from the Western Australian Government's Investment Attraction Fund.

Marine service company Franmarine has begun establishing its Global Operations Centre in Henderson
This follows a $4 million grant through the WA Government's Investment Attraction Fund
It will enable delivery of services to the ships of Australian and Global organisations

Australian-owned marine and underwater service provider Franmarine has taken its next step after receiving nearly $4 million from the Western Australian Government's Investment Attraction Fund (IAF).

Franmarine is currently establishing a Global Operations Centre in Henderson, where it will consolidate technology development fabrication and assembly of its integrated in-water vessel cleaning system.

The cleaning system removes harmful biofouling to prevent non-indigenous invasive marine species (IMS) being transferred via vessels. It does this while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions by minimising hull drag.

The company has been delivering biofouling management and ships husbandry capability to the Royal Australian Navy since 2018 and has recently signed a new agreement with engineering company Babcock to deliver critical services under the regional maintenance program (RMP-W).

They have also recently become qualified to provide in-water cleaning services direct to the Canadian Government, Royal Canadian Navy and Coast Guard.

The Operations Centre will employ an additional 66 employees in WA and create 74 new jobs over the lifecycle of the project.

The Investment Attraction Fund was established to encourage new investment in the State, create local jobs and diversify the WA economy, with more than $148 million allocated to 40 job-creating projects to date.

For more information on the Investment Attraction Fund, visit https://www.investandtrade.wa.gov.au/opportunities/investment-attraction-fund.

Comments attributed to Defence Industry Minister Paul Papalia:

"The Investment Attraction Fund allows the Western Australian Government to support worthy endeavours, which create local jobs and bolster local industries.

"Franmarine is proud WA organisation with a global repuation for its underwater sustainment and biofouling management.

"I am looking forward to see what the new Operations Centre in Henderson will be able to offer both local and international vessels."