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
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…
Austal USA Cleared to Begin OPC Stage 2 After Eastern Withdraws Protest
Mobile, Ala. shipbuilder Austal USA has been cleared to begin the second stage of the U.S. Coast Guard's (USCG) Heritage-class offshore patrol cutter (OPC) build program following the withdrawal of an award protest filed by an unsuccessful bidder, the USCG said on Thursday.In June, Austal USA was awarded a $208.26 million contract for detail design and long lead-time material for one OPC, with options for production of up to 10 additional vessels.
Tom Perrine Recieves Rosenblatt-Michigan Award
Tom Perrine, Austal USA vice president of engineering, was recognized by the University of Michigan as the 2022 Rosenblatt-Michigan Award recipient. The award is presented annually by the University of Michigan College of Engineering’s Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering in recognition of outstanding professional achievement, integrity and devotion to excellence and innovation in ship design.The award honors the name of its first recipient…
Future USNS Apalachicola (EPF-13) Completes Acceptance Trials
Austal Limited announced that the future USNS Apalachicola (EPF-13) has successfully completed acceptance trials for the U.S. Navy.Constructed at Austal USA’s Mobile, Ala. shipyard, EPF-13 is the first Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) ship with capabilities for V-22 Osprey flight operations and enhanced medical support. It is also the U.S. Navy’s largest ship with the capability to…
Shipbuilder Austal USA Partners with USV Firm Saildrone
Shipbuilder Austal USA and has formed a strategic partnership with Saildrone, Inc to build cutting-edge, autonomous uncrewed surface vehicles.The partnership ensures that production of the autonomous and uncrewed Saildrone Surveyor will accelerate to meet the growing demand of the U.S. Navy and other government customers for the cutting-edge solution for maritime domain awareness, hydrographic survey, and other missions requiring persistent wide area coverage.
Austal USA Names Kruger VP of Global Services and Support
Mobile, Ala. shipbuilder Austal USA welcomes Michelle Kruger as vice president of global services and support. Operating from Austal’s San Diego waterfront services facility, Kruger is responsible for Austal USA’s global post-delivery repair and warranty efforts, including the development of business strategy and strategic alliances. As the primary customer interface for ship repair and maintenance services…
Shipyards Adapt to help Navy, Coast Guard Recapitalize Fleets
U.S. shipyards are making improvements to building ships for the Navy and Coast Guard today and in the future. In some cases, it means phasing out one class of ship and getting ready for the next. Or, it can be a drastic make-over.The yards include mid-tier yards all the way up to very large facilities devoted exclusively to warships. The ships range from the 353-ton Fast Response Cutter to the 100,000-ton nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.
