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Mobile River News

12 Nov 2021

In the Shipyard: Austal USA Opens Ship Repair Business in Mobile

Harley Combs, Director, Austal West Campus Ship Repair. Photo courtesy Austal USA

Known best for its construction of U.S. Navy warships, Austal USA in September 2020 acquired waterfront property along the Mobile River and established a commercial ship repair facility. Mike Bell, Austal’s VP Operations and Harley Combs, Director, Austal West Campus Ship Repair discuss the plan. Austal USA’s long-established shipbuilding facility in Mobile, Ala., is a modern ship manufacturing factory, one of the largest aluminum warship builders in the world producing new ships for the U.S. Navy.

30 Sep 2021

Austal USA Sets Up Ship Repair Yard in Alabama

(Photo: Austal USA)

Following the acquisition of additional waterfront along the Mobile River in September 2020, Austal USA reports it quickly established a ship repair facility that has had a booming response.“Almost immediately after word got out Austal USA had purchased the additional waterfront property, we were inundated with calls from commercial captains looking to return to Mobile to have their ships serviced,” Austal USA’s Senior Vice President of Operations Mike Bell said.Austal’s acquisition included 15 acres of waterfront property spanning almost 3…

16 Sep 2021

Austal USA Appoints Murdaugh as President

Rusty Murdaugh (Photo: Austal USA)

Australian shipbuilding group Austal Limited announced its Austal USA arm has appointed Rusty Murdaugh as president, effective September 9, 2021.Murdaugh joined Austal USA in 2017 as chief financial officer, and has been serving as interim president of the company since February 2021. As interim president, Murdaugh led the addition of steel shipbuilding to the Austal USA manufacturing operations and the company’s facility expansion in Mobile by acquiring additional waterfront and services capability on the Mobile River. A U.S.

11 Aug 2021

Austal USA Awarded LCS Maintenance Contract

(Photo: Austal USA)

The U.S. Navy awarded Austal USA a sustainment execution contract (SEC) for repair, maintenance and modernization of all Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) homeported in San Diego. This includes all Austal-built Independence-variant LCS as well as the west-coast based Freedom-variant LCS.The SEC West award will enable the company to further expand its current San Diego service center while offering a greater range and depth of support available to the U.S. Navy. Austal USA is also expanding…

06 Apr 2021

Austal USA Launches USS Canberra

(Photo: Austal USA)

Mobile, Ala. shipbuilder Austal USA launched the future USS Canberra (LCS 30) into the Mobile River on March 30.USS Canberra is one of 19 Independence-variant littoral combat ships (LCS) that the U.S. Navy has contracted Austal to build. Twelve have been delivered to date.The 418-foot vessel is the first Navy ship that Austal has launched in 2021, and it is the first to launch from Austal's recently acquired dry dock.USS Canberra will next undergo sea trials prior to delivery.LCS 30 is the second U.S.

24 Mar 2021

Blakeley BoatWorks Delivers Towboat to CMT

Gretchen V. Cooper (Photo: Cooper/T. Smith)

The U.S.’ first linehaul towing vessel powered by Tier 4 Caterpillar high-speed engines with selective catalytic reduction( SCR) was built by Blakeley BoatWorks (BBW) and is now operated by Cooper Marine and Timberlands (CMT).In March 2021, Blakeley BoatWorks completed construction of M/V Gretchen V. Cooper, a state-of-the-art, Tier-4 inland linehaul tow boat. This 3,400-horsepower vessel is 110-feet long, 33-feet wide, and expands CMT’s fleet to 20 vessels.Currently, Tier-4 diesel engine standards are the strictest U.S.

11 Sep 2020

Shipbuilder Austal Grows Its US Footprint

(File photo: Austal USA)

Shipbuilder Austal's U.S. subsidiary Austal USA announced Friday it has completed the purchase of waterfront land, buildings and an existing dry dock along the Mobile River to enhance its new construction and service business lines.“As we’ve consistently done over the course of our history, we’re adding capability to meet the growing demand from our customers,” Austal USA President Craig Perciavalle said. “Our business remains focused on continuing to manufacture highly capable…

25 Jul 2019

DOT Secretary Chao Announces Infrastructure Grants

DOT Secretary Elaine L. Chao

Department Proposes $856 Million in INFRA Grants. The U.S. Department of Transportation today announced $855,950,000 in proposed grants through the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) discretionary grant program. “This significant federal investment will improve major highways, bridges, ports, and railroads around the country to better connect our communities, and to enhance safety and economic growth,” said Secretary Elaine L. Chao. INFRA discretionary grants support…

07 May 2018

Barges Catch Fire in Alabama

The U.S. Coast Guard said it is working with local agencies to respond to a barge fire on the Mobile River near Mobile, Ala.Coast Guard Sector Mobile received a report from Mobile County Fire Department that a barge carrying scrap metal caught fire at mile marker three on the Mobile River at approximately 10 a.m. on Sunday.According to Mobile Fire-Rescue, two linked barges carrying demolished/crushed cars are ablaze.No crewmembers were reported to be aboard the barges when they went up in flames, and there have been no reports of injuries or pollution.The barges are aground on the riverbank.Mobile County Fire Department is on scene conducting…

27 Aug 2015

Austal Delivers for USN

USS Jackson (LCS 6).

Austal’s U.S. operation consists of more than 4,000 employees supporting the design, construction and sustainment of two U.S. Navy programs, the 127-meter, trimaran Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) and the 103-meter, catamaran high-speed troop and equipment transport known as the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV). Austal has block-buy contracts in place for both programs totaling over $5 billion. In the past year, it has  delivered the Jackson (LCS 6), USNS Fall River (JHSV 4) and USNS Trenton (JHSV 5).

14 Jun 2015

Austal Hosts Littoral Combat Ship Gabrielle Giffords Christening

Austal joined the Honorable Gabrielle Giffords, her husband, retired Navy captain Mark Kelly, and ship’s sponsor Dr. Jill Biden in celebrating the christening of the future USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) today in Mobile, Alabama. This is the third littoral combat ship (LCS) in Austal’s 10-ship, $3.5 billion block-buy contract. The Independence-variant littoral combat ship is a 127-meter (419-foot) aluminum trimaran, capable of being outfitted with reconfigurable payloads (mission packages) which can be changed to support mine countermeasure, anti-submarine and surface warfare missions. It is named Gabrielle Giffords after the former Congresswoman from Tuscon, Arizona. This is only the sixteenth U.S.

01 Oct 2014

Austal Launches Trenton (JHSV 5)

Trenton (JHSV 5). Photo courtesy of Austal USA

On September 30, 2014, Austal USA successfully completed the launch process of Trenton (JHSV 5) - the second Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) launched by Austal in 2014. This 103-meter high-speed catamaran represents the U.S. Department of Defense’s next generation multiuse platform. It is part of a 10-ship program worth more than $1.6 billion. The launch of Trenton was conducted in a multi-step process that involved having Berard Transportation transfer the ship from Assembly Bay 3 onto a Crowley deck barge, which was then towed to BAE Systems Southeast Shipyard.

16 Sep 2014

Austal Delivers Fourth JHSV to the US Navy

Photo courtesy of Austal USA

The U.S. Navy accepted delivery of USNS Fall River (JHSV 4) from Austal USA yesterday, a week shy of six months from the date they took delivery of JHSV 3. This is the fourth Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) delivered to date for the JHSV Program which totals 10 ships at over $1.6 billion. Regarding the delivery, Austal USA President Craig Perciavalle said, “Delivery of this ship to the Navy is the culmination of many hours of hard work and dedication by Austal USA’s incredible shipbuilding professionals, as well as our teammates from General Dynamics AIS and the Navy.

09 Sep 2014

Energy Markets Buoy U.S. Shipbuilding

McAllister Towing marks its 150th anniversary this year, and the company’s fleet includes more than 75 tugs serving the U.S. East Coast from Maine down to Puerto Rico. Pictured are Buckley McAllister, President; Brian McAllister, Chairman; and Eric McAllister, Chief Operating Officer.

Proliferation of energy related transport continues to drive commercial U.S. As the United States aims towards energy independence by the end of this decade, domestic shipyards and vessels owners are reaping rewards from this most unexpected turn of events. Hydraulic Fracturing, or fracking, has been the main (and well publicized) culprit in the rapid turn of events. While the proliferation of gas has been widely known for years, the presence of oil, in quantity, was a pleasant…

15 Aug 2014

Crowley Helps Launch USS Montgomery

Photo courtesy of Crowley

Crowley Maritime Corp.’s ocean class tugboat Ocean Sky and heavy lift barge 455-4, managed by the company’s Houston-based solutions group, a project management organization, provided support to shipbuilder Austal USA during the launch of the newly built U.S. Navy Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), USS Montgomery, last week in Mobile, Ala. To facilitate the launch, the Montgomery was first moved from Austal’s shoreside assembly zone to the deck of Crowley’s 455-4, a feat that required hoisting the 1…

07 Aug 2014

Austal Launches Montgomery (LCS 8)

On August 6, 2014, Austal USA successfully completed the launch of the future USS Montgomery (LCS 8). The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) is a fast, agile, focused-mission platform designed for operation in near-shore environments yet capable of open-ocean operation. This vessel is the second of ten 127-meter Independence-variant LCS class ships Austal has been contracted to build for the U.S. Navy as prime contractor subsequent to a $3.5 billion block buy in 2010. Craig Perciavalle, Austal USA President, commented, “We are very proud to launch the ship named after the capital of Alabama, especially since the greatest shipbuilders made it happen right here in Mobile, Alabama”. Mr.

17 Jan 2014

Austal Launches USNS Fall River

JHSV 4 rolls out of Austal final assembly on Berard Transportation transporters onto a launch barge (photo: Austal)

On January 16, 2014, Austal USA successfully completed the launch process of the USNS Fall River (JHSV 4). Recently christened, this 103-meter high-speed catamaran represents the U.S. Department of Defense’s next generation multiuse platform. It is part of a 10-ship program, the funds for all of which have been appropriated, worth over $1.6 billion. The launch of USNS Fall River was conducted in a multistep process that involved having Berard Transportation transfer the ship from Assembly Bay 3 onto a deck barge, which was then towed to BAE Systems Southeast Shipyard.

13 Sep 2013

Signal International

Signal International Texas Yard.

With a family of three yards located along the Gulf of Mexico in Alabama, Mississippi and Texas, Signal International offers new construction, rig and ship repair, offshore and technical services. Marine construction and repair needs are complimented by three dry docks; a 30,000-ton lift rig dock, a 22,000-ton Panamax dry dock and a 4,500-ton lift dry dock. In Mobile, Ala., Signal Ship Repair (SSR) offers 4,400 ft. of water front along the Mobile River with a maintained channel depth of 44 ft. This facility specializes in ship repair and conversion.

04 Apr 2013

'Carnival Triumph' Blown off Berth in Repair Shipyard

Carnival Triumph Incident: Photo credit USCG

Strong winds parted the cruise ship's moorings in the BAE shipyard, setting her adrift in the Mobile River until assisted by tugs. One shipyard worker reported missing and is being searched for by Coast Guard Sector Mobile, while one other employee was recovered safely. The tug New Wednesday was on scene stabilizing the Triumph, and four additional tugboats were en route to assist. The Coast Guard has issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast for mariners to keep a look out for the missing BAE  employee on the Mobile River.

07 Jun 2004

Austal USA to be Contracted for Littoral Combat Ship

The U.S. Navy has awarded a team that includes Austal USA, a $79 million contract to develop a final design for the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), along with options to build two ships. Total contract value including both shipbuilding options is $536 million. With its unrivalled expertise in large, high-speed aluminum vessels, Austal, as the designer and builder of the proposed LCS vessels, is a major contributor to the team which is led by General Dynamics-Bath Iron Works. The team’s…

10 May 2004

News: Austal Launches Lake Express

On March 20, Austal USA launched its seventh and largest vessel to date. Lake Express, a 192 ft. high-speed vehicle-passenger ferry rolled out of Austal's purpose-built aluminum shipbuilding facility in Mobile, Ala., and into the Mobile River. "This project is a further step in building up capacity and capability at Austal USA which will stabilize our efforts to be a major contender in larger contracts in both the commercial and military markets," said Austal USA CEO, Greg Metcalf. With capacity for 248 passengers (COI for 400) and 46 cars, the Auto Express 58 will be capable of 34 knots. It will link the cities of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Muskegon in Michigan…

05 Apr 2004

Vessels: Fewer, but More Capable OSVs Being Produced in Gulf Shipyards

As noted in the accompanying article the Gulf of Mexico is in the midst of a drilling malaise. The days when southern shipyards routinely turned out 50-60 supply boats and an equal number of crew/supply vessels is over at least for the time being. The last three years has seen an unprecedented number of OSVs joined the fleets of Tidewater, Hornbeck, Otto Candies, Edison Chouest and other major offshore operators. Leevac Shipyards is a prime example. For the last four years they have built almost exclusively for Hornbeck Offshore Services, producing a number of 200-260 ft. very capable supply boats including four 240-ft. platform supply vessels in 2003. Today their order book includes a huge casino boat and a large 445-ft. by 78-ft. tank barge, but no OSVs. Quality Shipyards, Houma, La.

25 Mar 2004

Austal USA Launches 192-ft. Ferry

On March 20, Austal USA launched its seventh and largest vessel to date. Lake Express, a 192 ft. high-speed vehicle-passenger ferry rolled out of Austal’s purpose-built aluminum shipbuilding facility in Mobile, Ala., and into the Mobile River. “This project is a further step in building up capacity and capability at Austal USA which will stabilize our efforts to be a major contender in larger contracts in both the commercial and military markets,” said Austal USA CEO, Greg Metcalf. With capacity for 248 passengers (COI for 400) and 46 cars, the Auto Express 58 will be capable of 34 knots.