David Singleton News

Shipbuilder Austal Australia has launched the first of two Cape-class Patrol Boats for the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard (TTCG), under construction at the company’s Henderson, Western Australia shipyard.Under a A$126 million contract awarded by the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GORTT), Austal is constructing two 58 meter Cape-class Patrol Boats for the TTCG, scheduled for delivery in the first half of 2021.“With 10 vessels already in operation with the Australian Border Force and Royal Australian Navy…

Shipbuilding group Austal announced Friday that its Vietnam yard opened in 2018 has delivered its first vessel fully constructed at the Vung Tau shipyard.The 94-meter high-speed catamaran A.P.T James was officially handed over from Austal Vietnam to the National Infrastructure Development Company (NIDCo), to be used for maritime transport services on the Trinidad and Tobago ‘sea bridge’ route between the islands.The Auto Express 94 vehicle-passenger ferry was designed at Austal Australia and features the company’s signature raked bow and optimized hull design.

Australian-based shipbuilding group Austal said it has entered into an agreement to acquire compatriot ship repair and support business BSE Maritime Solutions Group.BSE Maritime Solutions, which operates in Cairns and Brisbane, serves defense, commercial, tourism and luxury vessel customers, including Australian Border Force, BAE Systems, Thales and Svitzer. The deal, which comes at an enterprise value of A$27.5 million (US$19.6 million), aligns with Austal’s strategy to continue building the its key support business…

Shipbuilder Austal said its Austal Australia arm has delivered a new high-speed trimaran ferry to JR Kyushu Jet Ferry at a ceremony held at the company’s shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia.The 83-meter Queen Beetle is the first of its kind to be delivered to Japan and has been custom-designed to provide an enhanced passenger ferry service between Fukuoka, Japan and Busan, South Korea, Austal said.Speaking at the delivery ceremony, Austal Chief Executive Officer David Singleton…

Shipbuilder Austal Australia has delivered the seventh Guardian-class Patrol Boat (GCPB) to the Australian Department of Defense. The vessel, PSS President H.I. Remeliik II, was gifted by the Government of Australia to the Government of Palau during a handover ceremony at Austal Australia’s Henderson shipyard.Austal Chief Executive David Singleton said this Guardian-class Patrol Boat delivery was unique as it is the first to take place under COVID-19 restrictions.The 39.5-meter steel monohull patrol boat—designed…

Austal Limited announced Thursday that USNS Newport (EPF 12) has been delivered to the United States Navy from Austal USA's shipyard in Mobile, Ala.USNS Newport is the 12th Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) ship to be delivered to the U.S. Navy – and brings the total number of ships delivered to the Navy by Austal USA to 24 in 10 years, including three this year. USS Oakland (LCS 24) was delivered in June, following the future USS Kansas City (LCS 22) handed over in .Austal Chief Executive Officer David Singleton said…

Austal announced that the future USS Savannah (LCS 28) has been christened at Austal USA’s manufacturing facility in Mobile, Ala. The future USS Savannah is the 14th of 19 Independence-class Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) Austal USA has under contract with the United States Navy.Austal Limited Chief Executive David Singleton said the continued success of the Independence-class LCS shipbuilding program demonstrated the extensive capabilities of the high-caliber Austal USA team. “The…

Shipbuilder Austal has informed that the U.S. Navy's fast-transport ship USNS Newport (EPF 12) has completed acceptance trials in the Gulf of Mexico. USNS Newport is the 12th Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport ship built by Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama, for the United States Navy (USN) in less than 8 years.Austal Chief Executive Officer David Singleton said: "Austal’s EPF high-speed catamaran is a true success story, proving to be an invaluable addition to the US Navy’s…

Two high-speed trimaran ferries built by Austal Australia recently sprinted side-by-side off the coast of Perth, Western Australia.As the 118-meter Bajamar Express was departing Australia on her delivery voyage to the Canary Islands, she was joined by the 83-meter Queen Beetle undergoing sea trials, in an historic moment capturing two Austal trimaran ferries.The two vessels are the latest designs of a proven hull form first developed for Fred. Olsen Express’ 127-meter Benchijigua Express in 2005.Austal Chief Executive Officer David Singleton said…

The first of two Austal Auto Express 118 trimarans under construction for Fred. Olsen Express of the Canary Islands has completed sea trials in Western Australia. Launched in February, the Bajamar Express (Austal Hull 394) is scheduled to be delivered this month.Over the past weeks, Bajamar Express has achieved an average speed of 37.6 knots at 85% MCR (power), carrying 80% from maximum deadweight (cargo capacity), shipbuilder Austal said.Austal CEO David Singleton said the results of the Bajamar Express sea trials…

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…

The Independence-class littoral combat ship - the future USS Oakland (LCS 24) - has completed acceptance trials in the Gulf of Mexico, shipbuilder Austal has informed.The LCS 24 is the 12th Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) built by Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama for the United States Navy (USN).Austal Chief Executive Officer David Singleton said the successful completion of acceptance trials for LCS 24 during the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated Austal USA’s capability and reliability to deliver vessels on time…

Shipbuilder Austal Australia has been awarded a A$324 million (US$209.8 million) contract to design and construct six evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats (CCPBs) for the Royal Australian Navy.It is the largest contract for an Australian vessel construction program ever awarded to Austal in the company’s 30-year history.The six new vessels, to be constructed at Austal’s Henderson shipyard in Western Australia, will add to the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) existing fleet of two CCPB’s delivered in 2017 and further extends Austal’s Cape-class Patrol Boat program to a total of 18 vessels.

Austal has revealed its latest development in high-speed trimaran technology with an 83 meter trimaran ferry.The ferry is under construction for JR Kyushu Jet Ferry of Japan, at the company’s Henderson South shipyard in Western Australia.Austal Hull 396, to be known as Queen Beetle, was designed and constructed by Austal Australia and is due for launch in mid-March 2020. The vessel will be handed over to JR Kyushu Jet Ferry in June 2020 and will commence services between Busan…

Austal Philippines launched Hull 419, a 109 meter high-speed catamaran ferry being built for Fjord Line or Norway at Austal's Balamban shipyard in Cebu.The vehicle-passenger ferry, to be known as FSTR, is the largest aluminium vessel ever launched in the Philippines – and the largest by volume ever built by Austal. It is scheduled to be delivered in the 2nd quarter of CY2020.“This new ship for Fjord Line of Norway is the first of many large, high-speed commercial ferries to be constructed at our newly expanded shipyard in the Philippines," said Austal CEO David Singleton.

Austal Limited announce that Austal Australia has launched Hull 394, the first of two 118-meter high-speed trimaran ferries currently under construction for Fred. Olsen Express of the Canary Islands.The aluminum vehicle-passenger ferry, to be known as Bajamar Express, was launched at Austal’s Henderson, Western Australia shipyard on February 4, and is now in the final stages of fit out, prior to scheduled delivery in the second trimester of CY2020, Austal said.The vessel will operate on Fred.

Australian-based global ship building company Austal Limited announced that its Henderson, Western Australia, shipyard has successfully launched Bajamar Express, the first of two 118-meter, high-speed trimaran ferries under construction for Fred. Olsen Express of the Canary Islands.The ferry is now in the final stages of fit-out. She is scheduled for delivery in spring 2020, said a press note from the shipbuilder.“With the launch of Bajamar Express, our internationally competitive Australian team has again demonstrated an inherent capability to design and construct advanced, cutting-edge vessels efficiently and cost effectively,” said David Singleton, CEO of Austal.“This latest trimaran will provide Fred.

Austal signed an agreement with the United States Navy which will see its Henderson shipyard conduct repairs and sustainment activities on USN and Military Sealift Command (MSC) ships.With the Agreement of Boat Repair (ABR) now in place, Austal’s Australian operations may now bid to provide emergent repair services to deployed USN ships, including the Austal designed and constructed Independence-class Littoral Combat Ships (LCS).The ABR also allows Austal to bid for maintenance and repair of MSC ships deployed to the region, to include the Austal designed and constructed Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) vessels.Austal Chief Executive David Singleton said the approval from the U.S.

SGTM has awarded Austal Limited a $10.7 million contract to build a 41-meter, high-speed catamaran.The new vessel is based on Austal Australia designed vessel, with customer defined design modifications to be undertaken in Vietnam before construction commences there by March, 2020 with delivery approximately one year later.Austal Chief Executive Officer David Singleton said the new contract was welcome as Austal continued to build on its investment in facilities and people in the company’s new Vietnam shipyard.

Australian-based global ship building company Austal Limited announced that it has been awarded a A$15.5 million (US$10.7 million) contract for a 41 meter, high-speed catamaran.According to a press release, the vessel will provide production continuity to Austal Vietnam as it completes the fabrication of a 94 meter ferry for a customer in Trinidad and Tobago. The contract will become effective when the required down payment is received, which is expected in the next few days.The new vessel is based on an existing and proven Austal Australia designed vessel, with customer defined design modifications to be undertaken in Vietnam before construction commences there by March…

Austal Australia has rolled out the hull (No. 394) and attached the superstructure for the first of two 118 meter trimarans under construction for Fred. Olsen Express of the Canary Islands.Bajamar Express was rolled out onto the hardstand at Austal Australia’s Henderson shipyard in Western Australia on December 14, in preparation for final fit out before launch in February 2020.Austal Chief Executive Officer David Singleton highlighted the vessel’s significance as one of nine trimarans currently under construction by Austal…

American, Australian-Domiciled global ship building company  Austal Limited said that its latest USA-made Navy vessel was officially christened during a ceremony Saturday at the company’s shipyard in Mobile, Alabama.The future USNS Newport, the Navy’s 12th Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) vessel, was honored during a ceremony featuring the traditional breaking of a champagne bottle on the side of the ship by its sponsor, Charlotte Marshall of Newport, R.I.Newport is the twelfth of fourteen EPF’s that Austal has under contract with the U.S. Navy, 10 of which have been delivered with the remaining 4 in various stages of construction.Austal Limited Chief Executive Officer David Singleton said the Expeditionary Fast Transport is a successful…

Perth-based ship manufacturer, Austal has penned a contract for the design and construction of a 115 meter, high-speed catamaran for Molslinjen of Denmark.The contract worth A$136 million is a follow-up order to the 109 meter high-speed catamaran Express 4, delivered to Molslinjen in January 2019, the new Auto Express 115 will be the largest ferry (by volume) ever built by Austal.The vessel will be fitted with a new generation of medium speed engines that are LNG compatible, and is designed with the potential to upgrade to LNG fuel in the future.Construction will commence in the third quarter of 2020 and delivery of the vessel will be in the first quarter of 2022.