Austal USA has been awarded a facility clearance (FCL) by the US Department of Defense. The achievement elevates Austal USA to a new level of US defense supplier, allowing the shipyard to Prime for future classified US Government shipbuilding projects. The clearance was awarded after Austal USA entered into a Special Security Agreement (SSA) with the US Government following a process spanning more than three years, in which the company had to satisfy strict criteria surrounding foreign ownership, control or influence. As part of the process, an Austal USA Board – a subsidiary Board of Austal Limited - was established to allow the shipyard greater independence from its publicly owned Australian parent company.