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
Littoral Combat Ship USS Kingsville Complete Acceptance Trials
Last week, on January 31, the future USS Kingsville (LCS 36) returned pier side after successfully completing acceptance trials in the Gulf of Mexico for the U.S. Navy, Mobile, Ala. shipbuilder Austal USA announced.During acceptance trials, comprehensive testing is conducted on the ship’s major systems and equipment in order to demonstrate their successful operation and mission readiness. The U.S.
Austal USA Plans New Facility and Shiplift in Mobile
Shipbuilder Austal USA announced it is planning to boost capacity at its Mobile, Ala. shipyard with the addition of a new manufacturing facility.The infrastructure expansion, which will be to the south of Austal USA’s current waterfront facility, will include a new assembly building, waterfront improvements, and a new Pearlson-designed shiplift system. Start of construction on the project is planned…
Austal USA Launches Large USV Vanguard for US Navy
The U.S. Navy’s newest Overlord Unmanned Surface Vessel Vanguard (OUSV3), was recently launched from Austal USA’s shipyard in Mobile, Ala. Vanguard is the first USV for the Navy purpose-built for autonomous operations from the keel-up.Vanguard is being jointly developed by a team led by Austal USA and L3Harris. Once outfitting and testing is completed, Vanguard will autonomously transit to San Diego, joining sister ships, OUSV2 Ranger and OUSV4 Mariner, as part of the Navy’s USV Division 1.
USNS Cody Delivered to US Navy
Austal USA formally handed over USNS Cody (EPF 14) to the U.S. Navy as representatives from both parties signed official delivery documentation onboard the ship. Austal USA and the Navy’s Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) program team successfully completed acceptance trials on the EPF 14 in the Gulf of Mexico in December signifying that the ship was ready for delivery to the Navy. These trials involved…
Austal USA Wins USN Contract
Austal USA received an $867.6 million undefinitized contract award (UCA) for final design and construction of three Expeditionary Medical Ships (EMS) from the U.S. Navy. The EMS will be manufactured in Austal USA’s aluminum manufacturing line following completion of the last Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF 16).The Expeditionary Medical Ship (EMS), an Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) variant, is a cost-effective design providing a dedicated medical ship optimized to provide patient holding…
Austal USA Names Blastos VP of Supply Chain Management
Austal USA has named Jim Blastos as vice president supply chain management, with responsibility for the company’s procurement, strategic sourcing, warehousing, logistics, material management and production control activities.Blastos has over 25 years of experience in developing strategic organizational transformation, collaborative solutions and operational processing. He has held leadership positions in supply chain and operations in the U.S.
"AI is the Game Changer"
Austal USA Advanced Technologies is working with the US Navy on technical solutions that will power the next-gen of navy assets. Don Hairston recently took the helm of the AAT team, and discusses how additive manufacturing and artificial intelligence are powering the future of naval asset design, construction and lifecycle maintenance.Don, what specifically attracted you to the position as GM of Austal USA Advanced Technologies?I liked Austal USA as an up-and-comer…
Austal USA Lays Keel for USNS Billy Frank, Jr.
Mobile, Ala. shipbuilder Austal USA held a keel laying ceremony for USNS Billy Frank, Jr., marking the official start of construction on the U.S. Navy’s eleventh Towing, Salvage and Rescue Ship (T-ATS 11).Ship sponsor Peggen Frank and her husband, William Frank III, authenticated the keel by welding their initials into a keel plate that will be welded to the hull of the ship. They were assisted by Brandon Auld…
Austal USA Receives Submarine Module Construction Order
Austal USA has received its first order for components supporting construction of a US Navy Columbia-class submarine.The order, from General Dynamics Electric Boat (Electric Boat), is for fabrication of the Command and Control Systems Module (CCSM) for the third ship in the Columbia-class program (SSBN 828).This order represents a significant expansion in the capabilities Austal USA has been providing to the submarine industrial base since February 2023.The purchase order…
Austal USA Cuts Aluminum on Final USN EPF
Members of Austal USA’s EPF team and representatives of the Navy’s Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Gulf Coast were present in Austal’s module manufacturing facility to watch the router begin cutting aluminum for the U.S. Navy’s final Expeditionary Fast Transport, EPF 16. This is the third EPF Flight II ship built by Austal USA in Mobile, and the 16th EPF contracted to Austal USA by the Navy. EPF Flight II provides a Role 2E (enhanced) medical capability which includes…
Orlowski Named VP Engineering at Austal USA
Austal USA introduced Chris Orlowski as the company’s vice president of engineering, leading a team of more than 350 engineers, naval architects, designers, and other engineering support staff. Orlowski has more than 30 years of program and systems engineering leadership experience within the defense industry. He came to Austal USA from Northrup Grumman’s CIO Office – Mission Systems - where he was the director of engineering and manufacturing systems and infrastructure.
Austal USA Tapped to Build More Submarine Modules
Mobile, Ala. based Austal USA received an order for the manufacture and outfitting of three electronic deck modules for the U.S. Navy's Virginia-class submarine program. The order, valued at $10.6 million, was issued by prime contractor General Dynamics Electric Boat. Construction will begin in fall 2023 and the modules are scheduled to be delivered to Electric Boat by the middle of 2025.The construction…
Murdaugh Resigns as Austal USA President
Rusty Murdaugh has resigned as president of Austal USA effective August 30, 2023, the Mobile, Ala. based shipbuilder announced.Murdaugh was named president in September 2021 after serving as acting president since February 2021. During his tenure Austal USA completed the addition of steel shipbuilding capability to its Mobile shipyard, and opened a waterfront ship repair facility in San Diego.Michelle Kruger…
Hairston Named GM of Austal USA Advanced Technologies
Don Hairston has been named General Manager of Austal USA Advanced Technologies in Charlottesville, Va. Hairston comes to Austal from L3Harris Technologies where he was vice president and general manager of the C5 Systems Division. He was responsible for leading a $400 million organization that designs and delivers unmanned surface vessels, integrated C5ISR, and maritime controls and cyber solutions to support…
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”…
