Austal
Austal is an Australian-based global shipbuilding company known for designing and constructing high-performance aluminum vessels. Established in 1988, the company has expanded its operations worldwide, with shipyards and service centers in Australia, the United States, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
Austal specializes in producing various types of vessels, including:
- Military Ships: Austal has significant contracts with the United States Navy and other navies worldwide. Notably, they build the Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) and the Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) for the U.S. Navy.
- Commercial Vessels: They manufacture high-speed ferries, passenger vessels, and offshore support vessels.
- Custom Vessels: They also produce tailor-made solutions for governmental and private clients, addressing specific requirements and operational needs.
Key Attributes and Services
- Lightweight Aluminum Construction: Austal is recognized for its expertise in aluminum fabrication, which offers benefits like reduced weight, corrosion resistance, and lower fuel consumption, leading to cost-efficient operations.
- Innovative Design: The company employs advanced design and engineering techniques to enhance vessel performance, safety, and efficiency.
- Global Reach: With production facilities and service centers worldwide, Austal supports a broad spectrum of maritime needs across different regions.
- Sustainability: Austal is involved in sustainable practices, including the development of environmentally friendly technologies and vessels.
- Service and Maintenance: They provide lifecycle support, including maintenance, repair, and overhaul services to ensure the longevity and optimal performance of their vessels.
Key Projects and Achievements
- Defense Contracts: Notable for securing large-scale contracts such as the multi-billion-dollar LCS and EPF programs for the U.S. Navy.
- High-Speed Ferries: They've delivered some of the fastest and most efficient ferry services globally, contributing significantly to maritime passenger transport.
Financial and Market Presence
Austal is publicly listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). Over the years, it has demonstrated robust financial performance, driven by strong order books and expanding market presence. The company continues to invest in R&D, reflecting its commitment to innovation and growth in the maritime industry.
Austal’s expansive portfolio and strategic global positioning make it a formidable player in the shipbuilding industry, known for delivering high-quality, innovative maritime solutions.
Passenger and vehicle-passenger ferries, leisure vessels, private liveaboard vessels, offshore vessels, patrol boats, police boats, naval vessels, multi role vessels,
- Phone: +61 8 9410 1111
- Web: www.austal.com
- Fax: +61 8 9410 2564
Locations
Austal USA News
Keel Laying for Future USNS Point Loma (EPF 15)
Austal USA celebrated the official start of construction of the future USNS Point Loma (EPF 15) with a keel laying ceremony in its Mobile, Ala. shipyard. Ship sponsor Mrs. Elizabeth Asher, with the assistance of Perry Sullivan, a 17-year Austal USA veteran A-class welder, authenticated the keel by welding her initials into a keel plate that will be welded to the hull of the ship.The future USNS Point…
Taylor Named Austal USA COO for Transformation
Austal USA promoted Christy Taylor to the newly established position of Chief Operating Officer for Transformation. She will report to Austal USA president Rusty Murdaugh, and oversee Human Resources, Production Control, IT and Supply Chain Management operations in addition to other business integration, leadership, and strategy roles. Her focus will be developing and integrating companywide systems…
USCG Commandant Visits Austal USA
Admiral Linda Fagan, U.S. Coast Guard Commandant, visited Austal USA Thursday to tour the Mobile, Ala. shipyard's manufacturing facilities and discuss the company’s contract for the service’s Heritage-class Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC).Austal USA said in a press release its leadership briefed the Commandant on the company’s steel shipbuilding production line. The 117,000 square foot steel panel line…
Keel Laid for Future USS Pierre (LCS 38)
Austal USA hosted a keel laying ceremony for the future USS Pierre (LCS 38) Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship at the company’s Gulf Coast shipyard. Ship sponsor Larissa Thune Hargens, with the assistance of Hon Tran – a 13-year Austal USA veteran A-class welder, authenticated the keel by welding her initials into a keel plate that will be welded to the hull of the ship.The future USS Pierre is the final Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship being built by Austal USA in Mobile, Ala.
Austal USA to Build Fifth T-ATS Ship for the US Navy
Mobile, Ala. shipbuilder Austal USA has been awarded a $71,706,745 fixed-price incentive contract option from the U.S. Navy for the construction of an additional Navajo-class Towing, Salvage and Rescue Ship (T-ATS 15).With the award, the company is now under contract for five T-ATS, having received awards for T-ATS 13 and 14 in July 2022 and T-ATS 11 and 12 in October 2021.Paddy Gregg, CEO of Austal USA's Australian parent company Austal…
Work Starts on New Navy Floating Dry Dock
Austal USA began construction on the Navy’s Auxiliary Floating Dry Dock Medium (AFDM) at the company’s Gulf Coast ship manufacturing facility last week. AFDM is the third program to begin construction on Austal USA’s steel assembly line following T-ATS 11 and 12 - the first two of four U.S. Navy Towing, Salvage, and Rescue (T-ATS) ships the company is under contract to build. The AFDM is a “Rennie”…
Austal USA Delivers the Future USS Augusta
Mobile, Ala. shipbuilder Austal USA delivered the future USS Augusta (LCS 34) to the U.S. Navy today. LCS 34 is the 17th Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) delivered by the company and the second U.S. Navy vessel to be named Augusta in honor of Maine’s state capital.Delivery documents were signed on board the ship and followed the successful completion of acceptance trials during which the ship’s major systems and equipment were tested to demonstrate mission readiness.
Young Named VP Production Ops at Austal USA
Austal USA promoted Chris Young to Vice President of Production Operations. Young, formerly Senior Director of Production, is a 26-year veteran of Austal with 19 of those years spent at Austal USA’s new construction manufacturing facilities in Mobile. Young’s tenure with Austal began immediately following school in Perth, Australia, when he joined the company as a structural engineering apprentice.
Austal USA Christens the Future USS Kingsville
Mobile, Ala. shipbuilder Austal USA celebrated the christening of the future USS Kingsville (LCS 36) Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship in a ceremony at the company’s Gulf Coast shipyard.The 18th LCS designed and constructed by Austal USA, Kingsville is planned for delivery in early 2024 and will be homeported in San Diego, Calif. LCS 36 is the first U.S. Navy ship named for Kingsville.Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ships are fast…
Austal USA Launches EPF14 and LCS 36
Austal USA launched two Navy ships this past week, USNS Cody (EPF 14) and the future USS Kingsville (LCS 36).With both ships in the water, production efforts will transition to final outfitting and system activation to support the ships getting underway for sea trials. The USNS Cody, which was christened last month, is the Navy’s first Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) Flight II vessel. As the first EPF Flight II…
Austal USA Taps Fairbanks Morse Defense to Equip OPC WMSM-919
Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD) on Thursday announced it has been awarded a contract from shipbuilder Austal USA to supply a range of equipment to support the construction of WMSM-919, the U.S. Coast Guard’s next Heritage-class Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC).FMD, which has been expanding its offering as single-source maritime defense contractor, said its cross-company package for WMSM-919 includes two main propulsion diesel engines through Fairbanks Morse Defense…
USNS Cody, 14th EPF, Christened
Austal USA christened its 14th Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF), USNS Cody, during a ceremony at its manufacturing facility. Cody is the first EPF Flight II as well as the first Navy vessel to honor the city of Cody, Wyo. The ceremony for the Navy’s first Flight II EPF was well attended by Navy leaders and elected officials. Vice Admiral Francis Morley, principal military deputy to the assistant secretary of the Navy for research…
Austal USA Delivers USNS Apalachicola (EPF 13)
Mobile, Ala. shipbuilder Austal USA delivered Expeditionary Fast Transport USNS Apalachicola (EPF 13) to the U.S. Navy. This is the second Navy ship named after the coastal Florida city; both ships were built in Mobile.EPF 13 is now the largest surface ship in the U.S. Navy fleet with autonomous capability. EPF 13 went to sea five times over a several-month duration allowing Austal USA and their industry partners…
Austal USA Opens San Diego Ship Repair Facility
Austal USA celebrated the opening of its new San Diego waterfront ship repair facility.The shipyard, located adjacent to Naval Base San Diego, will provide full-service repair, maintenance and modernization services for small surface combatants, unmanned and autonomous vessels, and auxiliary ships.Since finalizing an agreement for the property over a year ago, Austal USA has invested more than $100 million in facility upgrades and a new floating dry dock to transform the facility.
The U.S. Navy Needs More Ships, Encourages Industry to "Pick up the Pace"
The demand for warships is strong, and the Navy continues to receive support from the Congress to build more ships. The Navy is working to achieve a fleet of about 355 ships, plus a fleet of about 150 unmanned vesselsBut to achieve something close to that goal requires more than demand, and even more than money. For one thing, it requires an industrial base that can build, repair and sustain that fleet.While Navy leadership acknowledges the challenges of a stressed supply chain…
Austal USA's Spencer Johnson Honored by MACE
Shipbuilder Austal USA said its chief naval architect Spencer Johnson has been recognized by the Mobile Area Council of Engineers (MACE) as the Marine Engineer/Naval Architect of the Year. A tradition since 1967, MACE recognizes engineers in the community for their achievements and leadership.“We’re always incredibly proud when the hard work and accomplishments of one of our own is recognized by their industry peers,” Austal USA President Rusty Murdaugh said.
Chief of Naval Operations Visits Austal USA
Austal USA welcomed U.S. Navy Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Admiral Michael Gilday at the company’s Mobile, Ala. shipyard. The CNO toured the shipyard’s facility and discussed the company’s growing diversity of design and shipbuilding contracts. During his tour, the CNO witnessed the production of both steel and aluminum ships in the company’s 867,000-sq. ft. module manufacturing facility, including…
Tom Perrine, Austal VP of Engineering, Retires
Austal USA Vice President of Engineering, Tom Perrine, has retired after eight years of service with the company and over 40 years in the shipbuilding industry. During his tenure, Perrine led Austal USA’s engineering department overseeing the work of over 250 engineers, naval architects, designers, and other engineering support staff and overseeing the department’s shift to include steel design and construction.During Perrine’s tenure with the company…
Austal USA Commences Submarine Work
Shipbuilder Austal USA on Wednesday announced production has commenced at its Mobile, Ala. shipyard in support of the company’s partnership with General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) to support the U.S. Navy’s recapitalization of the nation’s nuclear submarine fleet. As part of the partnership, Austal USA is constructing and outfitting Command and Control Systems Modules (CCSM) and Electronic Deck Modules (EDM) for the Virginia- and Columbia-class programs.
Austal USA Names Alcathie VP of Human Resources
Mobile, Ala. shipbuilder Austal USA announced it has hired Michelle Alcathie as vice president of human resources, responsible for the overall development and implementation of company-wide human resources policies, programs and services.Alcathie is a human resources administrator with over 25 years of experience leading workplace transformations that support long-term strategic business plans.Before joining Austal USA…
