Victoria’s last shipyard capable of building and repairing large naval vessels is set to be sold to an Australian company with ties to Hong Kong capital, raising concerns about national security and the potential loss of strategic shipbuilding infrastructure.
According to Defense Blog, citing Australian Defence Magazine, Williamstown Shipyard is located near the entrance to the Port of Melbourne, one of Australia’s busiest container ports. The facility is currently owned by BAE Systems’ Australian subsidiary. The prospective buyer, EMKC³, an Australian property fund manager, has Hong Kong-based EMKC Group among its shareholders. The extent of the Hong Kong company’s ownership stake remains unclear.
EMKC³ representative Felicity Richardson confirmed that the company had signed a purchase agreement and was consulting key stakeholders on the facility’s future use. The transaction price has not been disclosed. The shipyard was listed for sale in 2024, with an estimated value of up to A$200 million.
The proposed sale has also raised questions about whether the transaction will be subject to review by Australia’s Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB).
Established in 1858, Williamstown Shipyard built all 10 ANZAC-class frigates for the Australian and New Zealand navies. It also carried out construction work on the superstructures and interior fit-outs of the Royal Australian Navy’s two Canberra-class amphibious assault ships. Although shipbuilding operations ended in 2016, the facility’s strategic location and infrastructure retain potential value. Australian defense observers warn that the sale could jeopardize the country’s access to an important naval construction and maintenance facility.
Source: China Times (Taiwan), November 1, 2026
https://www.chinatimes.com/realtimenews/20261101003158-260408?chdtv