RSK Group has acquired Perth-based engineering, advisory and digital consultancy BlueFin3, strengthening its specialist capability across the rail, transport, resources and infrastructure sectors in Australia and supporting continued growth across the Asia-Pacific region.
Founded in 2022, BlueFin3 employs around 50 people across engineering, advisory and digital disciplines.
Its expertise spans systems engineering, rail signalling, operational readiness, organisational change management, project delivery, digital data and automation, complementing RSK’s existing multidisciplinary service offering.
RSK Group Chief Executive Officer Alan Ryder said the acquisition aligns closely with the group’s national growth plans.
“BlueFin3 brings together engineering, advisory and digital expertise in sectors that are central to Australia’s growth and RSK’s growth across the country,” said Ryder.
BlueFin3 supports clients throughout the project life cycle, from concept development and systems engineering through to operational readiness and digital enablement.
The acquisition also combines its strong presence in Western Australia with RSK’s wider Australian network, creating opportunities to support clients and projects across the country.
On the engineering side, the business offers systems engineering, rail signalling, safety and systems assurance, intelligent transport systems, human factors and decarbonisation.
Its advisory services cover organisational change management, operational readiness and project management, while its digital team works in data analytics, artificial intelligence, automation and service management.
BlueFin3 works with Tier 1 clients across rail, mining and infrastructure and is expanding its work in public infrastructure and the energy transition.
Its clients include CBH, Rio Tinto, BHP, Hancock, Fortescue, Hitachi, Alstom, Arc Infrastructure and the Public Transport Authority of Western Australia.
The business also brings practical experience in applying data, automation and artificial intelligence to business operations and client delivery.
Recent projects show the breadth of that work. For Hancock Iron Ore, BlueFin3 is supporting the transition of the company’s Autonomous Haulage System from project delivery into business as usual operations, developing operational support models, service management processes, verification and validation frameworks, and engineering governance arrangements.
For CBH Group, it is providing project management, engineering and commercial advisory services for a major rail fleet acquisition involving new locomotives and approximately 650 wagons.
BlueFin3 is also helping BHP manage the people and process transition to an advanced, SIL4-rated train control and signalling system that enables moving-block operations.
For Rio Tinto, it supports the ongoing development, optimisation and safe operation of integrated Pilbara mining and rail operations, including enhancements to the AutoHaul® autonomous heavy haul rail network.
BlueFin3 Director Warren Burnett, speaking on behalf of the company’s leadership team, said the business would keep the qualities that have defined it since its founding.
“Joining RSK gives us the scale and wider network to build on the strong foundations we have established while retaining the employee-driven culture, technical excellence and responsive service that define BlueFin3,” said Burnett.
He added that the leadership team will remain with the business, providing continuity for clients and colleagues as it pursues new opportunities across Australia and the wider region.
RSK Divisional and Board Director Steve Abbott said BlueFin3 adds specialist expertise in systems engineering and assurance, signalling, operational readiness, human factors, data and automation.
He noted that connecting this capability with RSK’s multidisciplinary services will create valuable opportunities for collaboration and give clients access to broader support throughout project delivery.
“Its strong position in Western Australia complements RSK’s wider Australian network and creates opportunities to provide more integrated support for complex rail, transport and infrastructure programmes across the country,” said Abbott.
With BlueFin3 now part of the group, RSK expects to connect the firm’s services with expertise from across RSK Australia and the wider group.
The move is intended to give clients a more integrated offering as demand grows for specialist delivery support across rail, resources and infrastructure projects, both in Australia and throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
