On 4 March 2026, Southern Ocean Subsea (SoSub) had the honour of welcoming Her Excellency the Honourable Barbara Baker AC, Governor of Tasmania, and Emeritus Professor Don Chalmers AO to our Huntingfield facilities.
The visit formed part of the Governor’s community engagement program, which supports Tasmanian businesses by providing opportunities to connect directly with the people and ideas driving innovation across the state. For the SoSub team, it was a privilege to share our work and highlight the advanced technologies being developed here in Tasmania.
Showcasing Innovation at SoSub
Following her arrival, Her Excellency and Professor Chalmers were welcomed by SoSub’s leadership team and introduced to members of our technical staff. The visit began with an overview of the design and engineering work currently underway across the business.
Our engineers demonstrated a range of projects in development, including remotely operated vehicle (ROV) software systems and advanced 3D modelling used in the design of subsea technologies. These discussions provided an opportunity to showcase the creativity and technical expertise of the SoSub team and the innovative work being undertaken in support of marine industries.
Advanced Manufacturing in Kingston
The visit then continued at our primary manufacturing workshop on Patriarch Drive, where our Director of Innovation Kelsey Treloar guided Her Excellency through our workshop floor.
During the tour, Her Excellency was introduced to several of the advanced manufacturing technologies that support SoSub’s engineering capabilities. This included the DN Solutions 2600SY 6-axis CNC lathe, which enables high-precision machining for complex subsea components, and Formlabs engineering resin 3D printing technology, used for rapid prototyping and product development.
The team also presented one of our APAMA Net Repair System ROVs, our award-winning subsea vehicle designed to repair aquaculture nets underwater. The system enables operators to maintain nets safely and efficiently without requiring removal from the water, supporting productivity and safety within the aquaculture industry.
Conversations on Tasmania’s Manufacturing Future
The visit concluded with a discussion with the SoSub leadership team about the role Tasmania can play in advancing Australia’s sovereign manufacturing capabilities.
Tasmania’s strong engineering talent, combined with its close connection to marine industries, provides a unique foundation for the development of advanced subsea technologies. Conversations also explored the growing opportunities for Tasmanian-designed and manufactured technologies to reach international markets.
It was a privilege to host Her Excellency and share the work being undertaken at Southern Ocean Subsea. The visit highlighted the innovation, engineering capability, and advanced manufacturing expertise being developed in Tasmania.
Southern Ocean Subsea (SoSub) remains committed to designing and manufacturing world-class subsea technologies in Australia while continuing to expand into global markets, delivering Tasmanian innovation to industries and partners around the world.
