Austal USA Expands West Coast Repair Operations

Shipbuilder Austal USA said it received approval from the San Diego Port of Commissioners to assume the lease of Marine Group Boat Works in the Port of San Diego. Austal USA and Marine Group Boat Works are entering a 45-day exclusive period to close the agreement.

Austal USA will use the 15-acre site to focus on ship repair for U.S. Navy, Military Sealift Command and U.S. Coast Guard ships, establishing a full service ship repair capability providing maintenance and modernization for small surface combatants, autonomous vehicles and other vessels. The site, immediately adjacent to U.S. Naval Base San Diego, will include a newly-built dry dock designed specifically to handle small surface combatants and other small to medium size ships. Services include technical and material support, topside work and dry docking availabilities.

“This investment marks a major milestone in Austal’s focus on growing our services business and anchors our commitment to servicing Navy, Military Sealift and Coast Guard ships in the INDO-PACOM region. This facility expands our commitment to our customers to ensure they are receiving the Austal USA brand quality throughout the lifecycle of the ships we deliver,” Austal USA President Rusty Murdaugh said. “As the industry leader for on-schedule and on-budget delivery to the U.S. Navy, Austal USA has made continuous improvement a cornerstone of our culture and operations.”

Paddy Gregg, CEO of Austal USA's parent company Austal Limited, said the port’s approval of the lease highlights the successful, continued expansion of Austal USA’s service business in the United States and reaffirms the company’s support for the Navy, Military Sealift Command and Coast Guard. 

"Austal USA’s presence is growing across the United States and this latest expansion of facilities in San Diego enables our service business to deliver even greater through-life support for vessels operating on the West Coast,” Gregg said.

Marine Group Boat Works will focus on their yacht repair business in their Chula Vista shipyard.