December 12, 2025
As we reach the close of 2025, we’d like to take the opportunity to pause and reflect on the contracts, projects, people, values and purpose that together define who we are at Birdon.
This year has been a meaningful chapter in our story: one of progress, opportunity and deepening commitment to our communities, to culture, and to the global vision that drives us forward.
Our Wins & Business Milestones
2025 has been a strong year for growth and opportunity. Across our Defence and National Security, Resources, Maritime and Transport divisions, our global reach and proven delivery continued to attract trust and partnership; reinforcing Birdon’s reputation as a leading provider of complex maritime engineering solutions.
We celebrated significant progress across our U.S. Coast Guard Waterways Commerce Cutter and Motor Life Boat programs; advanced our work in decommissioning, dredging and sustainment; and continued to support critical infrastructure and vessel operations in Australia.
A few projects of note include in the defence sector, Birdon securing a significant $18.3M (USD) contract with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) to deliver 15 Bridge Erection Boats, further strengthening Sweden’s bridging capabilities and marking a major milestone in our expanding international portfolio. This was reinforced by the announcement of a global strategic partnership with Swedish firm MMT AB to deliver next-generation bridging and tactical mobility solutions, integrating Birdon’s wet-gap crossing expertise with MMT’s patented BAP-TT technology – setting a new standard in deployable, high-performance bridging systems for international defence clients.
In Australia, Birdon was awarded a 20-year contract to design, build, operate, and maintain the new Daintree River Ferry – delivering a modern, four-lane vessel that will increase capacity, reduce wait times, and serve as an essential transport link for residents, tourism operators, and the local economy. This project represents Birdon’s seventh cable-drawn ferry and builds on decades of experience as Australia’s leading cable-drawn ferry designer, builder, and operator.
Our national remediation capability expanded further through our role in the Swansea Channel project, improving safe and reliable maritime access for the Swansea community. The project will deploy one of the world’s most advanced cutter suction dredgers, backed by Birdon’s 48-year history delivering dredging solutions across ports, naval bases, waterways, resources projects, and mine-site rehabilitation.
This year also saw public recognition of our people and capability, with Birdon named both finalist and winner in multiple industry awards and acknowledged for our contribution to safety, engineering excellence, innovation, and workforce development. These achievements reflect not only the technical performance of our teams but the culture, resilience, and customer-driven mindset that underpin every project we undertake.
Building for Tomorrow: Innovation & Engineering Excellence
As Birdon grows globally and our footprint widens, we’ve been intentional about ensuring the foundations are set for responsible, forward-looking decision-making. Our global AI committee – a governance initiative designed to guide how we engage with emerging technologies – continues to chart a path for innovation underpinned by ethical and strategic oversight.
This year, Birdon began production on a pair of prototype Ancillary Surface Craft – Medium (ASC-M) landing vessels for the United States Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory. Selected for their cutting-edge design, these vessels are built to carry up to 40 troops or 54 tonnes of cargo, offering superior manoeuvrability, stability and long-range ocean transit capability, and reflecting Birdon’s ability to design and build next-generation craft tailored to evolving operational needs.
Meanwhile, the build-out of the Waterways Commerce Cutter Program (WCC) for the United States Coast Guard is well underway. Under this multi-billion-dollar contract, Birdon is constructing a fleet of 27 new cutters; a complex, large-scale shipbuilding endeavour that involves extensive design finalisation, production infrastructure investments, and long-term workforce deployment.
The scale and technical demands of these programs speak to Birdon’s reputation for delivering complex maritime engineering solutions.
Beyond defence and maritime, 2025 has seen Birdon broaden its expertise into mining, environment and complex dredging solutions. At IMARC 2025; Australia’s premier mining and resources conference, we presented our work developing a large-scale tailings-relocation and environmental dredging solution for Glencore. This included showcasing the innovative engineering, hydraulic systems, environmental compliance and lifecycle-management approach that supports safe, sustainable mine life extension.
Our global AI committee works alongside these engineering programmes to ensure that as we adopt new technologies; whether in design, production, logistics or workforce development. We do so guided by governance, ethics, and long-term strategic thinking.
Cultural & Community Momentum
In the U.S., our cultural commitments continued to strengthen through meaningful engagement with the communities and institutions connected to our maritime heritage. Throughout the year, we were honoured to welcome senior government officials, industry leaders, and elected representatives to our Mobile and Connecticut shipyards; opening our doors, sharing our vision, and contributing to important discussions about capability, workforce, and the future of American shipbuilding.
In Australia, one of the moments that truly stood out was the commissioning and unveiling of “Bilabaa – River Place”; an artwork by Birrbay artist Angela Marr, now proudly displayed in our Port Macquarie headquarters, and our Sydney and Henderson offices. Bilabaa celebrates the Hastings River, Birrbay culture, and Birdon’s commitment to honouring Country – a powerful symbol of our Aboriginal Engagement Plan.
Complementing this, we held our first Cultural Awareness Training session on Birpai Country, led by respected Elders and cultural educators. We look forward to hosting more of these in 2026.
Philanthropy and Giving Back
In 2025, Birdon continued to stand alongside the veteran community through our long-standing partnership with Bravery Trust. We recommitted as a 2025 sponsor of the annual Bravery Trek; raising awareness, funds, and solidarity for those who have served.
On ANZAC Day, Birdon teams around the country came together for ANZAC Biscuit morning teas, honouring the service of Australia’s veterans and contributing to Bravery Trust’s vital work supporting financial assistance, counselling and wellbeing.
These acts are more than sponsorship or charity; they reflect our commitment to Make It Happen, support our family culture, build trust, and remain driven by the needs of those we serve.
Our sponsorship of the U.S. Coast Guard Foundation Dinner’s in Washington and New Orleans reinforced our support for service members and their families, celebrating the Coast Guard community that remains central to our history and future.
We also continue to invest in the communities where we live and work. From our shipyards in Port Macquarie, Dampier, Bayou La Batre, Portland and beyond, we sponsor local events, sporting teams, charities and support services. We also host multiple school visits to our sites, helping inspire future careers in our industry.
Our support of industry events, including the AIDN WA Gala and WiDA IWD event, reinforces our commitment to strengthening the defence and maritime sectors.
Investing in Our People & Future Talent
We proudly launched our first-ever Birdon Futures, U.S. Apprenticeship Program at our Bayou La Batre shipyard, welcoming a cohort of ten ship fitting apprentices from the local community. This program, certified by the Alabama Office of Apprenticeship and supported by experienced Birdon instructors and mentors, represents a major milestone in building skilled capability and embedding the Birdon way of shipbuilding into the next generation of American tradespeople.
In Australia, we continued our 2025 Birdon Futures Apprenticeship Program, by welcoming another nine apprentices including four women and two Aboriginal apprentices, strengthening inclusion and investing in the future of our maritime and defence workforce.
Gratitude & Looking Forward
2025 has been a year of meaningful steps: steps toward greater inclusion, deeper respect, enhanced capability, and global ambition. None of it happens without the dedication of our people.
As we look ahead, we carry forward the momentum of this year. We remain committed to building on the foundations we’ve laid: to grow our business, deepen our community impact, honour culture and Country, uplift our people, and innovate with integrity.
Thank you to everyone; our team, and across our wider community, for being part of this journey. Together, we make it happen.