Birdon Group is an Australian-based company headquartered in Port Macquarie, New South Wales. Established in 1977, the company provides a range of maritime, engineering, and defence solutions. Initially starting as a local business focused on dredging and sand mining, Birdon has since expanded its operations across multiple regions, including the United States, Europe, and Australasia.[1][2]

History

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Founded in 1977, Birdon began as a small marine services company along the Hastings River, focusing on dredging and sand mining. Over the years, the company diversified its services to include vessel design, construction, and refitting, as well as other engineering solutions. In the 2000s, Birdon secured contracts with various governmental organizations, enabling its expansion into international markets.[3][4]

Operations

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Maritime Services

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Birdon Group's maritime division specializes in vessel construction, dredging, and marine engineering. The company is involved in building workboats, ferries, and military vessels. Birdon is known for supplying Bridge Erection Boats (BEBs) to military forces in several countries, including Australia, the United States, Brazil, and the Netherlands.[5]

Defence

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Birdon contributes to the defence sector by providing engineering solutions to armed forces. This includes military vessel refitting and fleet management. The company's work on the U.S. Army's Bridge Erection Boats has positioned it as a key provider of military marine vessels. Birdon also engages in various projects supporting maritime defence systems.[6][7]

Engineering Solutions

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In addition to its maritime services, Birdon operates a civil engineering division that provides infrastructure development, environmental projects, and waterway maintenance. The company has been involved in several large-scale projects, including dredging operations and infrastructure maintenance for Australia's national defence.[8]

Subsidiaries and Partnerships

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Birdon owns NAMJet, a U.S.-based manufacturer of advanced marine propulsion systems. NAMJet's waterjet technology is incorporated into various Birdon vessels, contributing to the company's growth in the defence maritime sector and expanding its capabilities in vessel design and construction.[9][10]

Global Reach

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While headquartered in Australia, Birdon operates on a global scale, particularly in North America. Its international growth has been driven by contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense and partnerships with organisations in defence and maritime industries in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.[11]

Projects

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  • Bridge Erection Boats: Birdon secured a contract to deliver 374 Bridge Erection Boats (BEBs) to the U.S. Army. These vessels are used for constructing floating pontoon bridges and ferrying military vehicles.[12]
  • Sydney Harbour Ferries: In 2019, Birdon was commissioned to design and build passenger ferries for Sydney Harbour and the Parramatta River as part of efforts to modernize Sydney's public transportation system.[13]

References

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  1. ^ "Military contractor, shipbuilder and marine equipment provider Birdon buys two Portland shipyards". Hartford Business. May 11, 2022.
  2. ^ "Birdon delivers maritime solutions globally". Australian Defence Magazine. August 27, 2024.
  3. ^ "Austal and Birdon in MOU on Australian Army landing craft project". Marine Log. December 12, 2023.
  4. ^ "Birdon hosts bank leadership at NSW shipyard". Defence Connect. June 12, 2022.
  5. ^ "Austal, Birdon Secure Australian Landing Craft Contract". Naval News. November 23, 2023.
  6. ^ "Birdon America granted $390 million united state Coast Guard as well as Army agreements". Marine Salvage. February 14, 2022.
  7. ^ "Birdon selected as designer for Landing Craft Medium Capability". Australian Defence Magazine. November 23, 2023.
  8. ^ "Garden Island Dredging Contract for Birdon". DredgingToday.com. May 30, 2019.
  9. ^ "No bridge too far for Birdon". Cummins Newsroom. August 6, 2023.
  10. ^ "PORT MACQUARIE'S BIRDON GROUP MAKING BIG WAVES IN THE US". Industry Update. April 2, 2015.
  11. ^ "Birdon's Global Success: Enhancing Sovereign Capabilities in Maritime Defence". AIDN. September 24, 2024.
  12. ^ "Revisiting The US Army's Bridge Erection Boat". Cummins. June 2, 2017.
  13. ^ "Sydney ferries get a facelift at Port Macquarie to extend life 'just shy of 50 years'". ABC News Australia. June 19, 2020.