John Rothwell News

Australian shipbuilding group Austal announced its Chief Operating Officer Patrick Gregg will take over as Chief Executive Officer effective January 1, 2021, following a six-month transition from current Managing Director and CEO David Singleton.Gregg was appointed as COO 3.5 years ago with a view to him being a natural successor for the CEO role in the future, said John Rothwell, Chairman of Austal Limited. Since Gregg's appointment Austal has set up operations in Vietnam, expanded…

Following the Memorandum of Understanding of 8 December 2017, Austal has announced the award of a A$68 million contract to design and build an 83 metre trimaran ferry for JR Kyushu Jet Ferry of Japan. Australia’s Ambassador to Japan, The Hon Richard Court AC and Japan’s Consul-General in Perth, Western Australia, Mr Tatsuo Hirayama joined Austal’s Chairman Mr John Rothwell AO and Chief Executive Officer Mr David Singleton for a signing ceremony at the Australian shipyard with JR Kyushu Jet Ferry’s President, Mr Masayuki Mizuno and General Manager, Planning, Mr Hitoshi Ogawa. “Austal congratulates JR Kyushu Jet Ferry on the selection of our proven trimaran platform to expand their Japan to South Korea route.

Australian shipbuilder Austal said it has started construction on a 109-meter high-speed catamaran ferry Express 4 for Molslinjen of Denmark, with the first plate-cutting conducted at Austal’s shipyard in Western Australia. Molslinjen Chairman, Frantz Palludan officially initiated the aluminum plate cutting for Austal’s largest commercial ferry project since 2011 and the largest commercial ferry by volume in the company’s 28 year history. Palludan was joined by Soren Jespersen…

Australian shipbuilder Austal has rolled out the ninth Cape class patrol boat for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Designed and constructed by Austal, Hull 380 is the first of two Cape class vessels scheduled to be delivered in 2017. In attendance at the official roll out ceremony, which took place prior to launching at Austal’s Henderson Western Australia shipyard, were Australian Defense Industry Minister Christopher Pyne, Senator Chris Back and Federal Member for Canning, Andrew Hastie, joined by Austal Chief Executive Officer David Singleton and Austal Chairman John Rothwell.

Austal Limited welcomed Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to the company’s Henderson, Western Australia shipyard, demonstrating the facility’s naval shipbuilding capabilities, innovation and export success. Following the recent awarding of the $305 million Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement (PPBR) contract, comprising 19 vessels made from Australian steel, the Prime Minister took the opportunity to meet Austal’s shipbuilding team that will deliver the program for the Commonwealth of Australia.

The JHSV requirements and concept of operations are similar to those of the Austal built WestPac ExpressAustal announced the award of a $3m Preliminary Design Contract for the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) program for the US Navy and Army. The JHSV requirements and concept of operations are similar to those of the Austal built “WestPac Express”, which has been successfully serving the III Marine Expeditionary Force in Okinawa, Japan for more than six years. At the conclusion of the six-month JHSV Preliminary Design Contract…

Production has commenced for the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) Armidale Class patrol boats. To be built in Western Australia over a 42-month period, the 12 vessel fleet will act as the principal maritime patrol and response element of Australia’s National Civil Surveillance Program. Project partners Austal Ships and Defence Maritime Services (DMS) held a ceremony attended by Senator David Johnston, Senator for Western Australia, representing the Minister for Defence, key personnel from the Department of Defence and Defence Materiel Organization and Patrol Boat Group Commander Captain Peter Marshall, to mark the start of production of the first ship in the class, HMAS Armidale.

The former Chief of the Royal Australian Navy, Vice Admiral (Rtd) David Shackleton AO, has joined Australian shipbuilder Austal as an advisor. Austal Executive Chairman Mr John Rothwell AO said Vice Admiral Shackleton will provide general strategic advice to Austal on Australian and international naval and defence industry opportunities including those expected to arise from the Australian Government’s recently announced A$10 billion naval shipbuilding program. “Vice Admiral Shackleton’s extensive knowledge and experience and contacts in relation to the Australian and foreign navies will significantly help Austal’s strategy to build on our defense shipbuilding success to date,” Mr Rothwell said. Vice Admiral Shackleton was Chief of Navy from July 1999 to July 2002.

The teaming of Austal Ships and Bender Shipbuilding to construct, from the ground up, a world-class aluminum vessel construction facility in Mobile, Ala., highlights the level of investment mid-tier U.S. yards have made in the past five years. Austal, which is well regarded for its fast craft design and construction prowess, will have at its disposal arguably one of the finest plate production facilities in the country, as well as access to a market for its signature craft, which is seemingly poised to boom. The two companies, however found that through a melding of similar ideas — both on a philosophical and financial level — that they could assimilate their cultural and business practices to form what aspires to become the largest aluminum shipbuilding company in the U.S. — Austal USA.

By Regina P. The teaming of Austal Ships and Bender Shipbuilding to construct a world-class aluminum vessel construction facility in Mobile, Ala., highlights the level of investment mid-tier U.S. yards have made in the past five years. Austal, which is well regarded for its fast craft design and construction prowess, will have at its disposal arguably one of the finest plate production facilities in the country, as well as access to a market for its signature craft, which seems to be poised to boom. The two companies, however, found that through a melding of similar ideas - both on a philosophical and financial level - that they could assimilate their cultural and business practices to form what aspires to become the largest aluminum shipbuilding company in the U.S. - Austal USA.

“Benchijigua Express”, the 127 metre high speed trimaran built by Austal for Fred Olsen, S.A. has arrived and entered service in the Canary Islands. Following her handover and departure from Fremantle, Australia on 13 April the vehicle-passenger ferry sailed to Tenerife via Cape Town arriving at 23:00 local time on Thursday 28 April, accomplishing the 9,250 mile journey in 15 days at an impressive average speed, including one scheduled stop, of 25 knots. During the delivery voyage, which included passing the notorious Cape of Good Hope, the vessel encountered severe weather conditions with combined sea and swell of up to eight metres. In the words of the seasoned delivery crew it was the “worst they had ever seen or experienced”.

Industry throughout Australia has the opportunity to work with the Austal-Raytheon Amphibious Ships Team, which in August 2004 announced its intention to bid for the Australian Defence Force’s $2 billion Amphibious Ships Project (JP 2048). JP 2048 involves the construction of two amphibious ships between 200-250 metres in length and approximately 25,000 tonnes displacement. John Rothwell, Austal’s Executive Chairman, said, “A project the size of JP 2048 provides an opportunity for the involvement of many parts of industry and no single company will be able to deliver on all requirements. To maximise the involvement of Australian industry…

A Letter of Intent has been signed between the Australian Government, Department of Defence and Austal regarding the Skilling Australia’s Defence Industry Program (SADI). Subject to confirmation of a formal agreement, Austal will conduct the following general activities in order to receive payments of up to $1.1 million over the 2005-06 financial year. · Recruitment Programs including: attraction activities, additional apprentices, dual apprentices and mature age apprenticeships. · Training / Upskilling Programs including: on the job training, additional TAFE courses and leadership development and team building courses. · Retention Programs involving a broad range of initiatives including: coordinator and supervisor development, new starter familiarisation and enhanced HR capacity.

classification contract. Four auto express vehicle-passenger catamarans to be built by Austal shipyard will be classed by Germanischer Lloyd. The high speed craft for an undisclosed owner will be constructed to the new High Speed Craft Code 2000 and delivered in 2009. Two of the fast ferries will be 69 m and two 88 m long. The classification contract was signed by Austal's COO Steve Murdoch and Design Manager Derek Gill in presence of GL's Area Manager George Spiliotis and Station Manager Fremantle Jatin S. Grewal. The order represents Austal's largest individual contract to date. "This huge contract confirms our presence in a region with substantial growth opportunities for Austal", said John Rothwell, Austal Executive Chairman.

An unconditional contract has been confirmed for the supply of four fast ferries, consisting of two 69 metre and two 88 metre Austal Auto Express vehicle-passenger catamaran designs. Further customer details cannot be released at this stage. Commenting on the announcement Austal Executive Chairman, John Rothwell said; Due for delivery in 2009 these fast ferries will be built in Australia.

The Executive Chairman of Austal Limited, Mr John Rothwell AO, today announced the appointment of Mr Bob Browning as Chief Executive Officer of Austal USA, effective mid August this year. Mr Rothwell said Mr Browning would add substantial experience to Austal’s existing executive team, and assist the company achieve its strategic growth plans across all sectors of the business. Mr Browning has been a non-executive Director of the Company since September 2003. In his new executive position with the Company, he will be based in Mobile, Alabama, where Austal opened its US shipyard in 1999. He will retire as a Director upon commencing in his new role. “We are pleased to welcome Bob to the executive team.

The Naming Ceremony for the eighth and ninth Armidale Class Patrol Boats to be launched was held at the Austal shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia. Fourteen patrol boats in total are to be delivered to the Royal Australian Navy. The 183.7 ft., all-aluminium monohull vessels were named Broome by Mrs Anne Zilko, daughter of ex crew member Bill Ritchie (subsequently a Commander in the RAN), and Bundaberg by Dr Jocelyn Pixley, daughter of Lieutenant Commander Neville D Pixley RANR, Commanding Officer, HMAS Bundaberg. The ceremony was attended by senior figures from the Royal Australian Navy, Department of Defence, Government and industry including The Hon.

Oman recently signed a major contract with the Australian shipbuilder Austal to buy two 65-meter, 50-knot, multipurpose state-of-the-art passenger-vehicle catamaran ferries. Ahmed bin Abdulnabi Macki, minister of national economy and deputy chairman of Financial Affairs and Energy Resources Council, and John Rothwell, executive chairman of Austal, signed the contract. The vessels, scheduled for delivery in 2007 and early 2008, will have a capacity to carry 203 passengers and 56 cars. These ferries are expected to provide a new tourism service to Oman, and will be the flagship vessels in the country’s expanded marine transport and security network. Each ferry is to be powered by four MTU 20-cylinder 1163-series diesel engines, driving a Rolls Royce/KaMeWa water-jet propulsion system.

GE – Marine has been issued updated certification from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for its LM2500 aeroderivative marine gas turbine. The amended certification reflects compliance to “2004 Naval Vessel Rules 2-3-1,” qualifying the LM2500 gas turbine to be applied in the propulsion system for the United States Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). “The updated ABS certification – coupled with the LM2500’s compliance with existing ABS rules – was the last step necessary to qualify the LM2500 gas turbine for use in General Dynamics’ LCS propulsion system,” said Karl Matson, general manager, GE – Marine, Evendale, Ohio. “This is yet…

Following the recent commissioning of HMAS Larrakia and Bathurst into Navy service, a dual Naming Ceremony for the fourth and fifth Armidale Class Patrol Boats to be launched was held today at the Austal shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia. Twelve patrol boats are currently contracted for delivery to the Royal Australian Navy. The 56 metre, all-aluminium monohull vessels were named “Albany” by Mrs Annette Knight AM JP CITWA, Former Mayor of the Town of Albany, and “Pirie” by Mrs Margaret Humphry, Daughter of Lieutenant J Ellershaw, Gunnery Officer Bathurst Class Minesweeper, HMAS Pirie. The ceremony was attended by approximately 150 senior figures from the Royal Australian Navy…

Following the official opening of the new ship construction facility last November, Austal USA today hosted a traditional US Navy keel-laying ceremony to signify the start of construction on the Navy’s new breed of surface combatant, the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). Whilst the ceremonies have been updated to reflect modern ship construction techniques, Navy tradition dictates that each new ship for the service be honoured on four historic ceremonial occasions: keel-laying, christening (or launching), commissioning and decommissioning. The object of today’s ceremony is a component in the modular construction arrangement that will form part of a 127 metre aluminium trimaran capable of providing high speeds, multi-mission capability and superior aviation operations.

On November 17, Mobile, Alabama-based Austal USA celebrated the grand opening of its new construction facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. This event took place just 11 months to the day after breaking ground on the project on January 17, 2005. Several notable VIPs participated in the ceremony, including: State of Alabama Director of Development Neal Wade, Mobile County Commission President Mike Dean, Mobile Mayor Sam Jones, John Rothwell (Austal Ltd. Executive Chairman), Greg Metcalf (CEO, Austal USA), Tom Bender (CEO, Bender Shipbuilding & Repair Co., Inc.) and Henry Seawell (CEO, Thompson Engineering, the company that was contracted for the design and construction of the expansion).

Australian shipbuilder, Austal, the world's largest builder of high speed ferries, signed a joint venture agreement to establish an American shipbuilding presence - Austal USA. Following a lengthy investigation of the U.S. shipbuilding industry, Austal's chairman, John Rothwell, made the decision to elect Bender Shipbuilding & Repair Co. of Alabama as its U.S. partner - with major equity held by Austal. Known as a builder of aluminum vessels, Austal's product range extending from 80 ft. (24.3 m) fast ferries to large vehicle and passenger carrying vessels beyond 330 ft. (100.5 m) in length. The full product range is scheduled for construction at the Mobile, Ala. shipyard.