Australian naval equipment manufacturer Marenav is expanding its national footprint to South Australia, establishing a new office at Defence SA’s Defence and Space Landing Pad at Lot Fourteen.

In a move set to strengthen the state’s sovereign naval shipbuilding capabilities, the NSW-based company brings expertise in providing end-to-end, whole-of-ship cooling technology, crucial for safeguarding naval combat systems and equipment.

Founded in 2019, Marenav designs, manufactures and installs Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning equipment (HVAC), radar and propulsion cooling systems onboard ships and complex vessels.

With potential to contribute to programs, such as combat system upgrades to the Hobart Class Air Warfare Destroyers at South Australia’s Osborne Naval Shipyard, the company is eager to engage with local manufacturers to expand its Australian supply chain.

Marenav joins a host of innovative companies and international primes that have leveraged the Landing Pad as a launch point for their expansion into the state.

Marenav Director of Operations Adam Smith said establishing a presence in South Australia – the nation’s shipbuilding capital – was a logical step, as the company looks to take advantage of opportunities on upcoming naval shipbuilding programs.

“South Australia has a strong pedigree in naval shipbuilding. The state is home to innovative Australian companies and strategic partners, a growing skilled workforce and critical infrastructure,” Mr Smith said.

“As a supplier of naval and commercial marine mechanical systems and equipment, it is important we are well-integrated into South Australia’s shipbuilding ecosystem to develop our range of products with established partners.”

Committed to building sovereign Australian capability, Marenav designs and produces all equipment in Australia, while maintaining full ownership of its software and programs.

Last year, the company’s next generation HVAC systems underwent significant shock testing, representing a major step towards enhancing sovereign capability, with the tests proving the equipment is safe, survivable and Navy-ready.

“We have spent the last five years understanding the equipment challenges faced by the Royal Australian Navy and have developed and qualified Australian-designed and Australian-made equipment that can be installed for capability uplifts,” Mr Smith said.

“Should this capability be supported by future ship building programs, there is a huge opportunity to increase the design and manufacturing workforce.

“There are highly capable South Australian companies who we can collectively band together with to deliver a step change in capability and Australian manufacturing.

“Being based at the Defence and Space Landing Pad, provides valuable support and connections, as we seek to gain a deeper understanding of the South Australian business environment and collaborate with Defence industry partners to deliver capability to the Royal Australian Navy.”

Defence SA CE Matt Opie welcomed Marenav to the Defence and Space Landing Pad.

“Marenav’s decision to establish a presence at the Defence and Space Landing Pad is a vote of confidence in the state’s impressive defence and space sectors, which continue to attract national and international investment,” he said.

The Defence and Space Landing Pad, managed by Defence SA, is a one-stop-shop that supports the relocation of companies to South Australia.

It provides companies with access to a range of government support programs and a network of industry consultants, all while operating from the state’s exciting Lot Fourteen innovation district in the heart of the Adelaide CBD.

Read the media release.

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Photo: Marenav representatives Adam Smith, Director of Operations, and Vanessa Lecompte, Director of Finance, at Lot Fourteen.