Austal
Austal News
Austal Graduates 21 Apprentices
Austal USA honored the second set of graduates of our four-year apprenticeship program with a banquet in Mobile, Ala. The 21 graduates honored at this banquet received their certificates of completion and designation as Department of Labor Class A Journeymen. President and Chief Operating Officer, Joseph J. Rella, was the key speaker at the celebration. Rella stated, “The apprentice training program at Austal challenges the students both academically and practically.
Austal Awarded Contract for JHSV 4 & 5
Austal received word to move forward with the construction contract for the fourth and fifth vessels of the U.S. Department of Defense’s next generation multi-use platform…
Five Minutes with Dave Growden, JHSV Program Manager, Austal USA
Please provide a brief professional history of yourself? I have more than 20 years of experience in all aspects of the planning and production of a wide variety of aluminum high speed vessels ranging in length from 26m to 107m. I have been employed by Austal since age 16 and completed a four year apprenticeship as a Shipwright before progressing into supervision and management of production staff and then program management.
JHSV 2: Austal Starts Construction
Less than one year after beginning fabrication of Spearhead (JHSV 1), Austal has commenced construction on Vigilant (JHSV 2), the second of up to ten 103-m Joint High Speed Vessels (JHSV). Austal was selected as prime contractor in November 2008 to design and build the first JHSV, with options for nine additional vessels expected to be exercised between FY09 and FY13. Since then, Austal has received construction contracts for JHSV 1…
Austal Water Taxis Sea Trials
The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago’s four 134.5 ft Austal-designed and built high speed passenger ferries recently completed sea trials. Designed to carry 405 passengers at speeds of more than 37 knots, the aluminum vessels are intended to help reduce road congestion in Trinidad and Tobago by establishing a water taxi service between San Fernando and Port of Spain in southwest Trinidad. All four ferries achieved a trial speed above the contract requirement during recent sea trials.
Austal Launches Wind Express Series
Austal has unveiled its new range of high speed transfer vessels specifically designed for the burgeoning offshore wind farm industry. The company’s Wind Express series of vessels combine fuel efficiency with advanced sea keeping characteristics to deliver a premier transportation solution for offshore wind farm operators. Features of the Wind Express series include the option to install Austal’s patented Ride Control System (RCS) to ensure a safer, more productive platform, even in rough seas.
Guadeloupe Operator Orders Repeat Austal Ferries
Guadeloupe-based ferry operator L’Express des Iles has selected Austal to design and construct two 154-ft high speed catamaran ferries. The order consists of one vehicle-passenger ferry and one passenger ferry, and is the company’s third contract with Austal since 1997. The vessels are intended to operate from Guadeloupe to the Caribbean islands of Marie Galante, Dominique, Martinique and St Lucia, where they will provide an important inter-island link for tourism and trade.
Austal Designated Largest Local Manufacturer
The Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce has recently confirmed that Austal topped the list of local manufacturers for having the most employees. Austal’s U.S. facility now has 1…
SCA Recognizes Austal USA for Safety
Austal USA received two awards from the Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA) for commitment to improving safety and health in the workplace. Austal USA President and COO, Joe Rella’ Health, Safety and Environmental Manager, Chris Blankenfeld and Vice President of External Affairs, Bill Pfister attended the SCA General Membership Meeting in Washington DC at the end of April where they were presented with the SCA Award for Excellence in Safety and the Award for Improvement in Safety.
Austal Opens European Service Hub
Austal announced an expansion of its European service presence with the establishment of a maintenance hub on the Strait of Gibraltar. Based in Southern Spain and Northern Morocco, the new operations will support the extensive fleet of Austal and non-Austal high speed craft currently operating on the Strait of Gibraltar. The new operations will support the ports of Algeciras and Tarifa in Spain, and Tanger Ville and Tanger Med in Morocco…
Austal USA to Prime LCS Bid
Austal USA and Bath Iron Works (BIW) have agreed to revoke their current teaming arrangement. This strategic decision allows Austal USA to act as prime contractor in the upcoming bid for 10 U.S.
Pemberton General Manager – Austal Service
Austal announced the appointment of Chris Pemberton to the position of General Manager - Austal Service. Pemberton previously held senior positions within Austal’s Sales and Marketing team and brings to the role more than 15 years experience in the aluminium vessel industry. The appointment comes during a period of significant growth for Austal Service.
Austal Contract for JHSV 2 and 3
The U.S. Navy has exercised contract options funding the construction of two additional Austal Joint High Speed Vessels (JHSV) – as part of an existing 10-vessel, $1.6b program. Austal previously received US Navy funding for long lead-time material, including diesel engines, water jets and reduction gears, for these two vessels in June 2009. The additional work is valued at approximately $208m. Intended as the U.S.
First Austal LCS Joins U.S. Navy Fleet
Austal-designed and built Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), USS Independence has officially joined the operating forces of the United States Navy following a commissioning ceremony held near Austal’s Mobile, Ala. facility. Thousands of Navy officials, politicians, industry delegates and spectators joined in welcoming USS Independence into the U.S. Navy fleet, where it will serve as a fast, agile, focused-mission platform designed for operation in near-shore environments.
Austal Commences JHSV Construction
Austal has received authorization from the U.S. Navy to commence construction on the first of up to ten 338-ft Joint High Speed Vessels (JHSV). After Austal successfully completed the Production Readiness Review (PRR) and necessary DoD approvals were obtained, the Navy authorized Austal’s Mobile, Ala. facility to immediately begin construction of Fortitude (JHSV 1). As the US Department of Defense’s next generation multi-use platform…
Next Generation Austal Trimaran Revealed
Austal has officially unveiled its new 334.6-ft trimaran vehicle-passenger ferry platform, which is currently under construction at its Western Australian shipyard and available for purchase. The new trimaran is an evolution of Austal’s 2005 trimaran ferry Benchijigua Express - optimizing performance, seakeeping, fuel efficiency, passenger comfort and payload. The vessel utilizes Austal’s trimaran technology…
Austal Opens New Shipbuilding Facility
Austal has officially opened its new Modular Manufacturing Facility (MMF), equipping its U.S. shipyard with the ability to build up to three 328-ft-plus vessels each year. Phase One of the new $88m facility boasts 35,000m2 of manufacturing space under one roof, including a 7900m2 warehouse, as well as paved parking for more than 2000 vehicles. An official ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of Phase One was held at Austal’s Mobile, Ala. shipyard.
Austal Launches Maltese Patrol Boats
The first two of four 69.5-ft aluminium patrol boats for the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) have been launched at Austal’s Western Australian facilities – less than seven months from initial contract signing. Launch of the remaining two aluminium vessels will occur in coming weeks, with the four-vessel fleet on schedule for delivery in November. With a speed of more than 26 knots, the vessels are designed to assist the AFM with surveillance and border protection throughout Malta’s coastal waters.
Austal Honors Future Leaders
On the evening of September 2, 2009, Austal’s US operation in Mobile, Ala., honored the first graduates of its four-year apprenticeship program. The graduates honored…
Austal Service to Maintain Red Sea Ferries
The Government of Egypt’s two Austal-built high speed vehicle ferries have officially commenced operations between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, introducing a new standard of ferry service across the Red Sea. The important milestone was achieved on the back of Austal’s recent award of a technical management and maintenance contract for the two catamaran ferries. Each 288.7 ft vessel now performs six return trips per week…
