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Austal News
Austal USA: Corrosion Management Solution
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.
GE LM2500 Gas Turbines to Austal USA
GE Marine reports that it will provide Austal USA, Mobile, Alabama, with two LM2500 aeroderivative gas turbines to power the United States Navy’s third LCS-Class-Independence variant. To be named USS Jackson, the vessel will be powered by the LM2500s arranged in a combined diesel and gas turbine configuration with two diesel engines. “GE continues investing in the LM2500 technology to meet customer needs, and we are delighted that Austal and the U.S.
Hooper VP Sales, Marketing, Austal USA
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…
Austal Welcomes Tony Abbott
Austal, the world’s largest builder of aluminium ships, today welcomed The Hon. Tony Abbott MP, Leader of the Opposition, and Senator Mathias Cormann, Senator for Western Australia…
Austal USA Breaks Ground On Three New Facilities
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.
Austal Awarded U.S. Navy LCS 8 Contract
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.
Austal USA Wins Shipbuilders Council Safety Award
The Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA) congratulated Austal in a letter for earning the 2010 SCA Award for Excellence in Safety. This honor is awarded to the…
Austal Launches Its Largest Catamaran
The final stages of construction of Austal’s largest catamaran to date were celebrated this week with a traditional coin ceremony, followed by the vessel’s successful launch. Placing a coin at the foot of the mast of a newly constructed ship is an ancient maritime tradition which is believed to bring good luck to the vessel and its crew. Senior Captain Soren Schow travelled from Denmark with a coin from the year 1660.
U.S. Navy Awards Austal Multi-Vessel LCS Contract
The USA division of Australian-headquartered Austal has been awarded a U.S. Navy contract to construct one Independence Class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS). The total value of the contract is $432.1m. The contract includes options for nine additional vessels in the following five years. Austal will immediately commence preparation work including a $140m facility expansion and workforce development which will take approximately 12 months to complete.
Austal Unveils Its Largest Ever Catamaran
On Dec. 10, Austal unveiled its largest ever catamaran to date. The vessel, measuring 370.7 ft in length, was towed out of the shed at its shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia. At around 20 metres longer than a standard soccer pitch and weighing around 1000 tonnes, the vessel will be able to hold up to 1,400 passengers and 357 cars when complete and travel at speeds of up to 40 knots. The vessel…
Austal Purchases Systems Integrator, ATI
Austal announced that an agreement had been reached to acquire Canberra based Australian Technology Information Pty Ltd (ATI). ATI is an Australian company that…
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.
