Birdon

02/06/2026

Relationships first. Capability follows.

Every maritime task is delivered in a place that already has a history, a community and a way of working. Our role is to respect that first and then get the job done safely, reliably and with care.

This short video capturing a snippet of our Island Trader contract shows what that looks like in practice.

Not a showcase of hardware, but of people: listening before acting, working alongside local crews, protecting the environment we operate in, and earning trust through consistency rather than words.

For us, sustainment is not a transaction. It’s a long‑term commitment; to vessels, to operators, and to the communities that depend on them. That mindset shapes how we plan maintenance, how we manage risk, and how we support capability over time.

Because the strongest maritime outcomes are built when respect, realism and responsibility come first.

🎥 Watch the story below.

29/05/2026

We were proud to welcome leaders from the Australian Defence Force to Birdon’s Bayou La Batre facility this week as part of a Limited Technical Assessment (LTA) for the Ancillary Surface Craft (ASC) program.

Australian Army Brigadier General Rebecca Talbot (Commander, 17th Sustainment Brigade) and her team visited both our Alabama shipyard and C&C Marine in Belle Chasse, Louisiana, where the vessels are currently being built. The visit gave them a firsthand look at the progress of the craft and how operations will be staged here in Bayou La Batre.

This collaboration continues this summer, as 18 Australian servicemembers arrive in July to work alongside U.S. crews, supporting line handling and mariner proficiency efforts during the LTA.

We’re honored to play a role in this important partnership and to showcase the incredible work being done by our team and partners.

25/05/2026

While ANZAC Day has passed, the reflections behind it continue to matter.

We’re sharing this short video from Birdon Advisory Board member Major General David Mulhall, DSC, AM, CSC (Ret’d), recorded during an ANZAC morning tea held with our Port Macquarie team ahead of ANZAC Day.

In his address, David acknowledges the veterans who work within Birdon and reflects on the profound decision to serve; a decision that takes people beyond themselves. He speaks honestly about the price of war, the importance of understanding its impact in the context of today’s world, and why ANZAC Day remains an important moment for reflection.

Most of all, he leaves our team with a reminder that resonates deeply: that the work our people do, and the work Birdon does, matters.

We’re proud to support veterans within our business and to recognise the role our people play every day in contributing to Australia’s defence capability.

22/05/2026

This week, Birdon was pleased to welcome Junior Achievement-Rocky Mountain, Inc. to our Denver facility.

The visit gave our team the opportunity to share more about Birdon and NAMJet, the work we’re delivering, and the range of career pathways available across maritime, engineering, and advanced manufacturing.

We love connecting with organizations like Junior Achievement. Their focus on preparing students for the workforce aligns closely with how we think about long‑term capability - investing early, sharing real‑world insight, and helping young people understand where technical skills can take them.

We’re looking forward to building on this relationship and exploring opportunities to engage with students again over the coming year.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the visit a success, and to JA Rocky Mountain representatives Mary Leonard and Jodi Wallace (Senior Development Manager) for spending time with our team.

18/05/2026

Happy International Day for Women in Maritime!

As part of the celebrations, we wanted to recognize just three of the many women at Birdon whose careers reflect the breadth, skill and impact of modern maritime - from supply chain and quality systems to the shipyard floor.

Hannah Barnard, Program Supply Chain Manager, whose career in maritime found her and kept her through the opportunity to contribute ideas, shape outcomes and help build the next generation entering our industry.

Emily Vice, Foreman, who started as a helper 15 years ago and built her career through capability, pride in workmanship and the belief that maritime is not defined by gender, but by skill and commitment.

Adriana Palacios, Quality Assurance Manager, who transitioned into maritime driven by challenge and innovation, ensuring quality standards are not just enforced, but applied with adaptability, integrity and global perspective.

The International Day for Women in Maritime, led by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), celebrates the recruitment, retention and sustained careers of women across the sector. This year’s theme; From Policy to Practice: Advancing Gender Equality for Maritime Excellence, is about recognizing real work, real careers and real impact.

We’re proud to celebrate these three women, and to acknowledge the many more women across Birdon who contribute to our teams, our projects and our industry every day.

18/05/2026

Last Friday, Senator Chris Murphy , U.S. Senator for Connecticut, visited Birdon's Portland facility to see first‑hand how we support the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and the Motor Lifeboat Service Life Extension Program (MLB SLEP).

The visit focused on the practical work behind life‑extension programs: engineering discipline, repeatable processes, and the craft skills required to return boats to service with confidence. At Portland, that means controlled disassembly, systems overhaul, structural remediation, testing, and quality assurance; executed to USCG standards and schedules.

MLB SLEP is about readiness. Extending the service life of mission‑critical boats demands more than repairs; it requires lifecycle thinking, tight configuration control, and teams who understand how these assets are used in demanding conditions.

We appreciate the opportunity to host Senator Murphy and to demonstrate the expertise, facilities, and people that underpin our commitment to the USCG, delivering engineered solutions, at scale, with schedule assurance.

12/05/2026

A proud moment for Birdon!

We’re excited to share that, Charlotte Anderson; a second-year boilermaker apprentice, has been selected as the New South Wales State Finalist in the Marine Industry Apprentice category of the 2026 Australian Marine Industry Awards (AIMEX).

This recognition places Charlotte in contention for the national title of Australian Marine Industry Apprentice of the Year, to be announced at the Awards Gala Dinner on Tuesday, 19 May at The Langham Gold Coast.

As a State Finalist, Charlotte will be recognised on stage and awarded a certificate, along with complimentary flights and accommodation to attend the gala - a well‑earned acknowledgement of her commitment, capability and growth within the industry.

Charlotte’s achievement reflects what’s possible when talent is backed by structured opportunity. Through Birdon Futures, our early‑career and apprenticeship programme, we invest in practical skills, mentoring and real‑world yard experience; building sovereign capability and long‑term careers, not just qualifications.

We’re incredibly proud of Charlotte and the way she represents Birdon, our people, and the next generation of marine professionals.

Congratulations also to the other State Finalists:

WA — Mitchell Dick (Austal)
QLD — Laura Hillman (Riviera Boats)

We’ll be cheering you on, Charlotte! And wishing all finalists the best of luck on the night.

You can learn more about Charlotte's story here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKzYmNVvtKs&t=16s

06/05/2026

The Birdon People & Culture team attended the Mid Coast Careers Market on Tuesday.

It was a great turn out with a diverse mix of schools attending from all over the mid North Coast region. Our team loved meeting with so many students who showed an interest in Birdon.

We fielded a lot of enquiries from students about the electrical trade and engineering. There was also some great interest in the boilermaker and fitter trades.

Interestingly, we noticed an increased interest from female students with a number expressing interest in the STEM streams which is amazing to see.

04/05/2026

Three days at Sea-Air-Space Expo (SAS) 2026 reinforced why this forum matters.

SAS continues to be one of the most effective environments for focused, senior‑level engagement across the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, allied defence partners, primes, SMEs, and government stakeholders.

The concentration of decision‑makers enables real conversations about capability, readiness, industrial capacity, and delivery.

Across maritime, undersea, surface combatant, autonomy, and industrial capability domains, the discussions were practical and grounded. Less about concepts, more about ex*****on: how programs move from requirement to build, how supply chains hold under pressure, and how industry partners can deliver with certainty at scale.

For us, the value was in the depth of engagement. Time spent with customers and partners translating operational need into engineered solutions, exploring where agility, lifecycle thinking, and schedule assurance make a measurable difference.

We left with stronger relationships, clearer lines of sight into upcoming priorities, and momentum that will carry well beyond the show floor.

Thank you to everyone who made the time to engage so openly.

01/05/2026

Exciting News Just In! 👏
Charlotte Andersen, our 2nd year apprentice Boilermaker, has just been announced as one of three State Finalists in the Australian Marine Export Group (AIMEX) Apprenticeship Awards. Charlotte is the winner for NSW.

Charlotte will attend the Awards Gala on the Gold Coast on May 19th and be presented with her State Finalist certificate.

The Australian Marine Industry Apprentice of the Year will be announced from the State Finalists at the Awards Gala Dinner. The winner receives complimentary flights, accommodation and a delegates pass to Metstrade, the world’s largest marine equipment trade show in the world, in Amsterdam from 17 – 19 November!

We are so proud of Charlotte and wish her all the best in the next round. 🤩🙌🏆

You can find out more about Charlotte's journey here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKzYmNVvtKs&t=16s

We are excited to announce the State Winners of the 2026 Australian Marine Industry Awards Apprentice Category! These three outstanding apprentices will now progress to compete for the title of Marine Industry Apprentice of the Year at this year's Australian Marine Industry Awards.

Congratulations to each of the following Apprentices;
WA - Mitchell Dick at Austal
QLD - Laura Hillman at Riviera Boats
NSW - Charlotte Anderson at Birdon

The Australian Marine Industry Apprentice of the Year will be announced during the Awards Gala Dinner on Tuesday, 19 May 2026, at The Langham Gold Coast. The winner will receive a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend Metstrade - the world’s largest marine equipment trade show - including complimentary return flights to Amsterdam, accommodation, and a delegate pass to the show.

Good luck!!!

Reserve your tickets for the Awards Gala Dinner - www.asmex-conference.com.au/registration

Accommodation can be secured at the Langham Gold Coast at exceptional discounted rates - www.asmex-conference.com.au/hotel-and-venue/accommodation