Andrew Bellamy News

The Australian National Maritime Museum’s new “Action Stations” attraction officially opened in Darling Harbour, Sydney, on Sunday, offering guests a uniquely dynamic “Immersive Cinema Experience”. The $12 million (AUD ) Action Stations attraction, located in a new waterfront pavilion, highlights the history of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and its people, the various periods of engagement from World War I to the present day and brings to life the human stories behind the uniform and the fleet.

Shipbuilder Austal Limited announced that Expeditionary Fast Transport 6 (EPF 6) USNS Brunswick, formerly known as Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV 6), has completed U.S. Navy acceptance trials. The trials, representing the last significant milestone before delivery, were undertaken in the Gulf of Mexico and involved comprehensive testing of the vessel’s major systems and equipment by U.S. Navy. Austal Chief Executive Officer Andrew Bellamy said the consistent performance of the EPF’s during acceptance trials is further reflected by the innovative platform’s success in deployment with U.S.

Austal has launched the first of two 72m High Speed Support Vessels (HSSV’s) being built for the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO), yesterday. Hull 390 - the future RNOV Al Mubshir - was successfully launched after 13 months of construction and fitout at the company’s Henderson, Western Australia shipyard. Austal Chief Executive Officer Andrew Bellamy said the on-schedule launching of the first HSSV demonstrates Austal’s proven capability to design, construct (and support) large, multiple naval vessel programs; locally, globally, successfully. “Our track record here in Australia and overseas clearly supports Austal’s strong proposition that we can effectively and efficiently deliver the Australian Government’s Future Frigate and Offshore Patrol Vessel programs,” Mr Bellamy added.

Cape York, the last of eight new Cape Class Patrol Boats for Australian Border Force (formerly Australian Customs and Border Protection) has been delivered by shipbuilder Austal Limited under a $330 million design, build and in-service support contract. Austal was awarded the contract for eight Cape Class 58-meter aluminum monohull patrol boats in August 2011. Austal Chief Executive Officer Andrew Bellamy said all eight Cape Class Patrol Boats have been delivered on-time and on-budget from the shipbuilder’s team at Henderson shipyard.

Shipbuilder Austal Limited announced it has delivered record revenue and record earnings for the year ended June 30, 2015, with Net Profit After Tax (NPAT) of $53.2 million, a 66.8 percent increase on FY2014. Austal’s best result in its 27-year history was generated from revenue of $1.41 billion, a 26 percent increase on FY2014, achieved from multiple vessel programs, including major navy defense and patrol boat programs for the U.S. Navy, Australian Border Force (formerly Australian Customs and Border Protection), and the Royal Navy of Oman.

The first of two high speed catamaran ferries built by shipbuilder Austal Limited was delivered to the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC). The vessel constructed at Austal’s Philippines shipyard. Austal Chief Executive Officer Andrew Bellamy said the on-time and on-budget delivery demonstrates Austal’s ability to compete in this target market. “We continue to see opportunities in the Middle East and the energy sector and have the right production cost base in the Philippines to compete for commercial vessel contracts and successfully leverage our intellectual property with a proven design…

Shipbuilder Austal Limited announced it has delivered Cape Wessel, the seventh of eight Cape Class patrol boats being supplied to Australian Border Force under a $330 million design, build and in-service support contract. “The on-time delivery of Cape Wessel and continued efficiencies across the program reinforce Austal’s capability to reliably build and sustain naval and border protection vessels,” said Austal CEO Andrew Bellamy. “Our team at the Henderson shipyard have again demonstrated their ability to meet contracted timeframes.

Littoral Combat Ship 6 (LCS 6), the future USS Jackson, has completed U.S. Navy acceptance trials, shipbuilder Austal Limited announced. The trials, the final milestone before delivery, were undertaken in the Gulf of Mexico and involved testing of the vessel’s major systems and equipment by the U.S. Navy. “The LCS program is maturing into an efficient phase of construction,” said Austal CEO Andrew Bellamy. “Completion of our first Acceptance Trial on LCS 6 as the prime contractor is a significant and important milestone for Austal.

Austal Limited announced it has delivered Cape Leveque, the sixth of eight Cape Class Patrol Boats being supplied to the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service under a $330 million design, build and in-service support contract. Cape Leveque is named after the northernmost tip of the Dampier Peninsula in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Austal Chief Executive Officer Andrew Bellamy said that with three quarters of the Cape Class fleet now delivered, Austal continued to demonstrate its credentials as a partner of choice for government defence vessel programs.

Austal Limited has delivered Cape Jervis, the fifth of eight 58-meter aluminum monohull Cape Class Patrol Boats for the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service under a $330 million design, build and in-service support contract. In August 2011, Austal was awarded the contract for the design, construction and through-life support of the Cape Class patrol boats, the remaining three of which are at various stages of construction and will be delivered progressively through late 2015.

Austal Limited has delivered Cape Sorell, the fourth of eight Cape Class Patrol Boats being supplied to the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service under a $330 million design, build and in-service support contract. Austal Chief Executive Officer Andrew Bellamy said it represented a significant milestone with half the Cape Class fleet now delivered, and continuing to be delivered in accordance with contracted timeframes. “With the delivery of Cape Sorell Austal achieves…

Austal inform that its USA’s order backlog has grown by approximately US$684-million dollars as a result of two additional Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) contract options being exercised by the United States Navy. The contract options fund construction of the LCS 18 and LCS 20, the seventh and eighth ships in the 10-ship block buy award made to an Austal-led team in December 2010 in a 10-ship program potentially worth over US$3.5-billion. Chief Executive Officer Andrew Bellamy said the company’s U.S. Navy programs provide revenue and workload for years to come.

Austal announce new strategic partnerships in the Asia-Pacific region to enhance its support to the US Navy & others in the region. Following on from the strategic partnership with Singapore’s Sembawang Shipyard Pte Ltd announced in January 2013, Austal has now secured similar agreements with Unithai Shipyard and Engineering located within Thailand's main international deep-sea port of Laem Chabang, and with the Cam Ranh Shipyard in Vietnam. Austal Chief Executive Officer Andrew…

Austal USA gains additional Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) work contract. The United States Department of Defense has announced that Austal USA has been awarded a US$19.987-million modification to a previously awarded Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) contract. The modification exercises options for class service efforts and special studies, analyses and reviews for the LCS program. Austal USA will assess engineering and production challenges, and evaluate the cost and schedule risks, from affordability efforts to reduce LCS acquisition and lifecycle costs. Work is expected to be completed by March 2014.

The US Navy has exercised contract options with Austal USA for the construction of LCS 14 & LCS 16. Austal USA’s order backlog has grown by approximately $681.7 million dollars as a result of two additional Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) contract options being exercised by the United States Navy. The contract options fund construction of the LCS 14 and LCS 16, the fifth and sixth ships in the 10-ship block buy award made to an Austal-led team in December 2010. That 10-ship program is potentially worth over $3.5 billion. Austal has been contracted by the U.S.

Austal, & Singapore's Sembawang Shipyard enter strategic partnership to provide ship repair, maintenance, for US Navy ships. Austal and Sembawang Shipyard believe the partnership provides an important resource to the US Navy and other defence forces operating in Asia-Pacific. Austal and Sembawang Shipyard will together provide rapid, high quality support specifically tailored to the US Navy’s fleet of Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) and Joint High Speed Vessels (JHSV), both of which are expected to operate in the region. The first LCS is expected to deploy to Singapore in early 2013. Austal is currently contracted to build ten 103-metre JHSVs under a US$1.6 billion contract and six 127-metre LCSs, four of which are a part of a 10-ship, US$3.5 billion contract.

Austal USA today finds itself plowing into 2013 with the proverbial bone in its teeth, powered by an enviably hefty U.S. government backorder book, possibly the most modern and efficient manufacturing infrastructure in U.S. shipbuilding and the leadership of a new President who, over the past five years, helped to make it all happen. Nevertheless, domestic shipbuilders all know that DoD and DHS belt tightening is a the new reality. Determining the depth of government cuts and positioning accordingly is the tricky part, yet hardly new to companies operating in defense circles. In fact Austal may be as well positioned to ride out the storm as anyone…

Austal receives a high profile defence delegation, including the United Kingdom’s Secretary of State for Defence, at its Western Australian facility. The Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP, the UK Secretary of State for Defence, was accompanied by Australia’s Minister for Defence, the Hon Stephen Smith, MP; Australia’s Chief of Defence Force, General David Hurley, AC, DSC; Australia’s Defence Secretary, Mr Dennis Richardson, AO and other defence personnel from both the United Kingdom and Australia.

Austal launch the first-in-a-series Cape Class Patrol Boat at the company's Henderson Shipyard in Western Australia. The vessel is the first of eight new boats being built by Austal for the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service under a design, construct and in-service support contract valued at approximately A$330 million. The ceremony marked the first time the boat has been lowered into the water. Following maritime tradition, specially minted coins were placed under the keel block of the vessel as a symbol of good fortune in June 2012.

Joe Rella, president and chief operating officer of Austal USA since 2007, has reportedly resigned from the company. Austal's board of directors has accepted his resignation. Brian Leathers, who had been serving as chief financial officer, will serve as interim president of Austal USA. Craig Perciavalle will serve as vice president of shipyard operations."This transition is a natural step," said Austal chief executive officer Andrew Bellamy. Austal has an active contract with the U.S. Navy to build nine Spearhead-class Joint High Speed Vessels (JHSV) under a 10-ship, $1.6 billion contract. Beyond this, the company also has a contract to build up to 10 Littoral Combat Ships (LCS). Austal is conducting a search for new leadership, according to the company.

United States Military Sealift Command (MSC) exercise first of its three, six months options, for the ongoing charter of “WestPac Express”. The option forms part of a 24 month contract that Austal was awarded in December 2011. A 101 metre aluminium catamaran, “WestPac Express” has now been supporting the US Marine Corps in Okinawa, Japan since July 2001 and has achieved virtually 100 per cent availability over that time. The Austal-managed charter operation includes in-service support, ship management services and integrated logistics support.

HKME is a leading engineering service provider in northern Australia with well-established operations supporting the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and Australian Customs and Border Protection Service. HKME also has strong relationships with oil and gas sector participants. Austal Chief Executive Officer Andrew Bellamy said the acquisition signals Austal’s commitment to supporting RAN and Customs and Border Protection operations. “Supporting the Royal Australian Navy and Australian Customs and Border Protection Service is core to Austal’s long-term success.

Austal USA announces the promotion of Craig Perciavalle to President, Austal USA. Mr. Perciavalle is currently serving as Senior Vice President of Operations. He joined Austal USA in 2007, serving in a number of senior management positions while overseeing Austal’s transition from a small, conventional commercial shipyard to an efficient, modular manufacturer of the Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship and Joint High Speed Vessel. Austal USA Interim President and Chief Financial Officer, Brian Leathers, was promoted to Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.