Program Overview
Birdon was tasked with the safe and sustainable deconstruction & recycling of the Ex-HMAS Sirius, a 10,000-tonne ex-naval refuelling ship located at the Australian Marine Complex (AMC) in Henderson, Western Australia.
The scale and complexity of the vessel required an innovative engineering solution, including ballasting the ship to the ocean floor and cutting it in half for safe removal. The project set a new benchmark in domestic decommissioning, achieving a 99.13% material recovery rate and demonstrating Birdon’s leadership in sustainable practices.
Quick Facts
- Client
Australian Department of Defence
- Location
Australian Marine Complex (AMC), Henderson, WA
- Lifecycle Stage
Deconstruction & Recycling
- Asset
Ex-HMAS Sirius – 10,000-tonne Naval Refuelling Ship
Objectives
- Safely decommission and recycle the Ex-HMAS Sirius in Australia
- Maximise material recovery and minimise environmental impact
- Demonstrate leadership in domestic decommissioning aligned with government sustainability goals
Challenges
- Stabilising a 10,000-tonne vessel during dismantling
- Safely mooring a the vessel using a temporary engineered mooring plan and system.
- Managing hazardous waste including aviation fuel and hydrocarbons
- Cutting the vessel underwater using diamond wire saws
- Removing large structural components in adverse weather conditions
- Ensuring zero environmental incidents throughout the project
Birdon’s Approach
Birdon delivered an innovative, safety-first decommissioning methodology combining engineering precision with environmental control.
A custom mooring system was developed to stabilise the vessel during dismantling, while hazardous waste including aviation fuel and hydrocarbons was safely removed without incident. The vessel was ballasted using over 60 million litres of water to position it on the ocean floor, enabling controlled underwater cutting using a diamond wire saw.
Materials were carefully segregated and processed to minimise waste, while workforce development initiatives were implemented in partnership with education institutions to build capability in hazardous waste management and sustainable decommissioning practices.
Outcomes & Impact
The project achieved a 99.13% material recovery rate, with most of the scrap steel processed to HM1 Grade for direct reuse in steel mills. Hundreds of pumps, motors and electrical components were recovered, contributing to resource efficiency and reuse.
The project was delivered with zero environmental incidents, demonstrating full compliance with environmental and safety requirements while setting a new benchmark for sustainable naval decommissioning in Australia.
It also contributed to job creation and skills development within the emerging decommissioning sector, supporting long-term capability growth.
Testimonial
“Fantastic outcome achieving greater than 99% recycling of the entire vessel (less than 1% went to landfill). Birdon’s commitment to innovate, drive outcomes, and conduct the activity safely and with dignity is a defining feature of their approach.”
CDRE BD Smith
Director General, Major Surface Ships, Maritime Sustainment Division, Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Group
Capabilities in Action
- Large-scale vessel decommissioning and dismantling
- Custom engineering solutions for vessel stabilisation and underwater cutting
- Hazardous waste management including fuel and hydrocarbon removal
- Material recovery, segregation and recycling at scale
- Delivery of sustainable decommissioning outcomes with >99% recovery rate
- Workforce development in hazardous waste and sustainability practices
