Joe Rella News

St. Johns Ship Building on Wednesday announced it has signed a contract with Seapath for construction of a series of six ABS deck barges in support of their Jones Act leasing business.The barges will be built at St Johns Ship Building’s facility in Palatka, Fla. and will be dispatched to multiple charterers along the US East Coast.Seapath is a subsidiary of the Libra Group, which is also parent to St. Johns’ holding company, Americraft Marine Group.Joshua Lubarsky, CEO of Seapath, said, “Domestic maritime transportation is the backbone of the US transportation system.

St. Johns Ship Building announced it has appointed Joe Rella as president, succeeding Jeffery Bukoski, who left the role at the close of 2023.Rella brings over four decades of U.S. Navy and commercial maritime experience to his new position at the Palatka, Fa. shipyard. He was previously president and COO at Austal USA and has held executive roles at International Marine and Industrial Applicators. Rella received his undergraduate degree in marine engineering from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and earned an MBA from Spring Hill College.

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.

Discuss Future of Supporting the Program before Congress. Austal brought together representatives of over 50 suppliers from 25 states to build support for the future of the U.S. Navy’s LCS program. The representatives of the Independence-variant LCS industrial base gathered on May 16 and 17 for a conference and congressional outreach. Austal USA’s President and Chief Operating Officer, Joe Rella, was joined by Rear Admiral James A. Murdoch, Program Executive Officer, Littoral Combat Ships, and Congressman Jo Bonner (R-AL) in welcoming the attendees and briefing them on the U.S.

On May 3, 2012, Austal held a keel-laying ceremony for the third Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV), one of nine Austal-designed 103-meter U.S. Navy Joint High Speed Vessels under contract with the U.S. Navy. Austal invited Representative Jo Bonner to authenticate the keel. He was assisted by Jeff Cellon who is an “A” Class welder that has been part of the Austal team since May of 2010. A traditional keel-laying ceremony marks the first significant milestone in the construction of the ship.

With the U.S. Navy funding construction of the future USS Omaha (LCS 12), Austal USA, the vessel’s builder, invited the citizens of Omaha to join in as their naval namesake takes shape on the Mobile, Alabama, waterfront. The next USS Omaha will be an Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), a highly-utilizable, 3,000 ton modular naval combatant. This aluminum trimaran will be built by an Austal USA-led team, which will support the U.S. fleet as America confronts new 21st Century threats at sea. Austal USA President and Chief Operating Officer Joe Rella welcomed the opportunity to reach out to the citizens of Omaha. “The ship we are going to build has some big shoes to fill,“ said Rella.

Austal USA’s order backlog has grown by $691 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 Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) and Omaha (LCS 12), the third and fourth 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. Reflecting its growing stature in naval shipbuilding, Austal USA now holds confirmed contracts for 14 U.S. Navy ships while Austal’s Australian shipyard expects to build eight patrol boats for the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service. The U.S.

Coronado, the second Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), was christened on January 14, 2012 during a ceremony at Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama. The Independence-variant LCS, with its trimaran hull–design, offers maneuverability, stability, endurance, shallow draft, three weapon zones, and a flight deck larger than any other U.S. Navy surface combatant. Susan Ring Keith is the ship’s sponsor. Upon her birth in Coronado, Susan joined a long family history associated with the Navy and Coronado.

Coronado, the second Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), was christened on January 14, 2012 during a ceremony at Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama. The Independence-variant LCS, with its trimaran hull–design, offers maneuverability, stability, endurance, shallow draft, three weapon zones, and a flight deck larger than any other U.S. Navy surface combatant, Susan Ring Keith is the ship’s sponsor. Upon her birth in Coronado, Susan joined a long family history associated with the Navy and Coronado.

Mobile, Alabama-based Austal USA successfully launched the second 127-meter Independence-Variant Littoral Combat Ship, Coronado (LCS 4). In reference to the success of the Coronado launch, Joe Rella, Austal USA President and Chief Operating Officer, had this to say, “The success of this major milestone in the life of not only this vessel but of the entire Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program is a testament to Austal’s highly skilled craftsmen and women. Launch occurs when a ship is complete enough to safely be waterborne.

Demonstrating its growing presence in the defence and vessel support markets, Austal’s US operation has been awarded a subcontract by BAE Systems to provide structural maintenance services for “Sea Fighter” (FSF-1), a US Navy Research Vessel which is used for advanced technology demonstrations. The vessel is a 79.9 metre high-speed aluminium catamaran, designed to operate at speeds in excess of 50 knots. It is operated by Great Eastern Group for the Office of Naval Research. Austal’s Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Bellamy, said the contract was in line with key company strategies to expand its defence and vessel support businesses. “This contract is further recognition from the defence community that our core skills add value in the in-service support phase.

Three Joint High Speed Vessels (JHSV) currently under construction. On November 8, 2011, Austal held a keel-laying ceremony for its second Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV), Choctaw County (JHSV 2), one of seven Austal-designed 103-meter U.S. Navy Joint High Speed Vessels under contract with the U.S. Department of Defense. Captain Henry W. Stevens, III (USN), Strategic and Theater Sealift Program Manager, PMS 385, served as the Authenticator for today’s ceremony. He was assisted by Brandon Mims. Brandon is an “A” Class welder that has been part of the Austal team since June of 2007.

Austal announces that Congressman Jo Bonner (R-AL) commemorated the official start of fabrication for the third Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV 3), one of seven Austal-designed 103-meter U.S. Navy Joint High Speed Vessels (JHSV) under contract with the U.S. Department of Defense. “The race is on,” said Austal USA President and Chief Operating Officer, Joe Rella, “the world is about to learn just how much value Austal’s investments in modular ship fabrication offers our Navy and Military Sealift Command customers.

U.S. Navy Christens New Military Vessel in Mobile, Alabama at Austal USA. The Navy will christen the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) Spearhead Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011, during a 10 a.m. CDT ceremony in Mobile, Ala. Chief Warrant Officer 4 Kenneth Wahlman, U.S. Army (Ret.) will serve as ship’s sponsor. His daughter Catherine, a Staff Sgt. in the Army ROTC attending Virginia Tech University, will assist her father in the christening, Mr. Wahlman’s wife, Chief Warrant Officer Five…

Austal USA honored graduates of Austal’s cutting-edge four-year apprenticeship program with a banquet at the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center in Mobile, Alabama. The 38 graduates received their certificates of completion and designation as Department of Labor Class A Journeymen. They were joined by their supervisors, instructors and many of Austal USA’s executive and human resources staff in celebrating this momentous occasion. The graduating class consisted of 8 electrical journeymen, 6 fitout journeymen, 10 pipe fitting journeymen, and 13 fabrication journeymen.

The U.S. Navy has exercised contract options funding the construction sixth and seventh Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV), as part of a ten-ship program potentially worth over $1.6b.The construction contract for both vessels is valued at approximately $313m. Austal USA’s President and Chief Operating Officer Joe Rella cited the Mobile shipyard’s continuing growth as a key factor. With options remaining for a further three vessels, the JHSV program is set deliver a predictable revenue stream of US$347.3 million (AUD$330 million) per year from 2012 to 2015. As prime contractor, Austal was awarded the construction contract for the first 103-meter JHSV in November 2008, with options for nine additional vessels between FY09 and FY13.

Austal USA and their U.S. Navy partners have worked closely to achieve a comprehensive corrosion management solution for the Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) class. Impressed current cathodic protection systems, already in place on the Westpac Express, an Austal-built civilian vessel that has served the U.S. Marine Corps for the past decade, are set to be tested over the coming months on the Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ships and ultimately, put into place on the Jackson (LCS 6). Passive measures are important as well, and the Coronado (LCS 4) will get new anti-corrosion surface treatments to better protect the water jet tunnels and associated structure from galvanic corrosion.

Austal USA is delighted to announce the employment of Dr. Craig Hooper as Vice President of Sales, Marketing and External Affairs. Dr. Hooper comes to us as the publisher of NextNavy.com, a widely-read national security-oriented website. He has a PhD from Harvard University and is the co-founder of New Pacific Institute, a national security think-tank. His experience also includes work as a lecturer at the Naval Postgraduate School, School of International Graduate Studies, Department of National Security Affairs. He is the founding contributor to the U.S. Naval Institute Blog on naval affairs and has published papers for leading defense publications to include: Proceedings of the U.S. Naval Institute, National Defense Magazine, and Naval War College Review.

Austal USA held a combined groundbreaking ceremony today, to celebrate the start of work on three new facilities including Phase 2 of the Modular Manufacturing Facility (MMF); a new office complex; and an additional waterfront Assembly Bay. The ceremony was held at Austal USA’s shipyard in Mobile, Alabama, where construction is underway on the U.S. Navy’s Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program and the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) program. This event was attended by several notable dignitaries, including Alabama Governor Robert Bentley; Rear Admiral Joseph F.

Austal hosted a visit by the Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus on Friday, March 25. He was joined by U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions, Congressman Jo Bonner, Austal USA President and Chief Operating Officer, Joe Rella, and Mobile Mayor Sam Jones in formally announcing the names that he has selected for the first two Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) of the recently awarded 10-ship contract to Austal. LCS 6 will be named USS Jackson and LCS 8 will be named USS Montgomery. Secretary Mabus announced the names during his meeting with approximately 600 Austal production employees…

The U.S. Navy announced a fixed price incentive contract for the construction of a fourth 127-meter trimaran Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS 8) valued at $368.6m. This is the second ship awarded under Austal’s recently announced U.S. Navy contract for construction of up to an additional 10 Littoral Combat Ships to be appropriated in the following five years, with a total value in excess of $3.5b. Once commissioned, these 10 ships will join the Austal-built USS Independence (LCS 2) which was commissioned in January 2010. Austal USA President and Chief Operating Officer, Joe Rella, commented “The award of this ship allows us to continue the build up of our workforce…

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, JHSV 2, and JHSV 3 and Long Lead Time Material contracts for JHSV 4 and JHSV 5.

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.