Austal

This year, we celebrated yet another Austal Australia employee reaching a remarkable 30 years of service. Tim Speer is one of those individuals who breathes the rarified air of following his dreams. After completing a Naval Architecture degree, he became a DNV surveyor for 3 years, before transitioning to a small boat builder, Sea Spray Boats, to create an in-house design office. In 1994, Tim joined Austal in Western Australia as a Senior Naval Architect, and just a year later he stepped up to the role of Design Manager, as opportunities for the company and local shipbuilding industry continued to develop, at an exhilarating pace. As Tim took the lead in design, the company was transitioning from building 40 metre passenger ferries for markets such as Hong Kong, to designing much larger, high-speed vehicle passenger ferries for Europe, the US and Middle East; while also pursuing opportunities for naval vessels in Australia and the US. Some of Tim’s greatest achievements include leading the development of the Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) and Joint High-Speed Vessel (now Expeditionary Fast Transport, EPF) projects for the US Navy, which has seen a total of 35 ships delivered since 2009. Tim spent a total of 6 years in the United States, helping to win the contracts and establish the project teams in Mobile, Alabama and one of his proudest moments was attending the commissioning of USS Canberra (LCS 30) in Sydney in July 2023. Later, Tim was instrumental in securing the Cape-class Patrol Boat project for the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (now Australian Border Force), additional Capes and Evolved Capes for the Royal Australian Navy, Guardian-class Patrol Boats for Defence Australia, and multiple defence export projects including the High-Speed Support Vessels for the Royal Navy of Oman. Now Chief Engineer, Tim is helping the Austal Australia team prepare for multiple naval shipbuilding projects proposed under the Strategic Shipbuilding Agreement with the Commonwealth, as well as design leadership and support for some of the most exciting, innovative commercial shipbuilding projects Austal has ever proposed. The #team here in Henderson, and at Austal shipyards around the world are proud to acknowledge the achievements and ongoing leadership of Tim Speer, and we take this opportunity to thank him and congratulate him again on the outstanding career milestone of 30 years’ service in 2024. #timspeer #30years #career #austal #shipbuilding

And congratulations to all of our colleagues and friends at Austal USA, celebrating 25 years of shipbuilding in Mobile, Alabama, this week!

Congratulations and sincere thanks to Rottnest Fast Ferries, and the Austal Philippines #team, on the delivery of the impressive new 32 metre catamaran, 'Ocean Master', from the Balamban, Cebu shipyard this week!

Austal Australia delivered the 22nd Guardian-class Patrol Boat to Defence Australia, at a ceremony held at the Henderson shipyard on Friday 22 November 2024. The vessel, RFNS Timo, was handed over to the Government of Fiji by the Australian Government , as part of the Pacific Maritime Security Program. The Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project (SEA 3036-1) was awarded to Austal Australia in May 2016, with subsequent contract options awarded in April 2018, November 2022 and June 2024, taking the project to 24 vessels, valued at more than A$400 million, in total. The Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project continues to support 200 direct jobs at Austal Australia and more than 200 indirect jobs nationally, through Australian businesses contracted by Austal. Through close collaboration with supply chain partners and the Department of Defence, Austal is achieving over 60% Australian Industry Content on the Guardian-class Patrol Boats and helping to build the National Naval Shipbuilding Enterprise and Australia’s sovereign capability. Learn more about the Guardian-class Patrol Boats, designed and constructed by Austal Australia, at https://lnkd.in/g_TXyGz8 #austal #austalaustralia #guardian-class #patrol boats #RFNSTimo #Fiji #australian #defenceindustry #sovereigncapability

Austal Limited welcomes the announcement by the Australian Government on the selection of Damen’s Landing Ship Transport 100 (LST100) as the preferred design for the Australian Defence Force’s Landing Craft Heavy, to be constructed by Austal Australia. Eight Landing Craft Heavy vessels, based on the LST100, will be built by Austal at the Henderson Defence Precinct in Western Australia, subject to acceptable commercial negotiations and demonstrated performance. Austal Limited Chief Executive Paddy Gregg said the announcement, from Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery, The Hon. Pat Conroy MP, was another positive step forward towards continuous naval shipbuilding in Western Australia and a significant opportunity for industry comprising the Henderson Defence Precinct. “The announcement on the selection of a design for Landing Craft Heavy is great news for the Australian Defence Force and all industry stakeholders, demonstrating the Australian Government’s clear commitment to achieving continuous naval shipbuilding in Western Australia, and delivering an effective littoral capability for the Australian Army. “Austal looks forward to constructing this important new capability for Australia, following the anticipated finalisation of the Strategic Shipbuilding Agreement and commencement of the Landing Craft Medium contract in 2025.” Read the full ASX announcement at https://lnkd.in/gztp_Rcs #austal #damen #australianarmy #landingcraftheavy #hendersondefenceprecinct #westernaustralia #defenceindustry #sovereigncapability

Capral Aluminium, Australia’s largest aluminium supplier, has been an essential supply chain partner to Austal for more than 25 years. The Austal #team have relied on Capral’s expertise and consistent quality to meet the stringent demands of both commercial and naval shipbuilding - supplying a variety of aluminium products, including both sheets and complex extrusions, many of which meet rigorous DNV certification standards. The reliability of these materials is critical to Austal’s ability to deliver high-quality vessels, on schedule. But Capral’s contribution goes beyond just materials. For Austal, Capral is a partner who understands the unique challenges of shipbuilding. As Brent Carey, Head of Strategic Supply Chain points out “It’s nice to have a supplier where we can share a vision, share values, they understand our needs, and we can build a mutual relationship that’s best for both parties.” With Capral’s support, Austal is well-positioned to continue an innovative shipbuilding approach and expand into new markets, including steel vessel construction. The successful partnership between Austal and Capral is highlighted in the article below, and in a new video demonstrating not only the capability of Australian manufacturing but the power of shared values and mutual respect, redefining what’s possible in shipbuilding. Check out the ‘Crafted with Capral – Austal’ video at https://lnkd.in/gjjfb8Qw #austal #capral #australian #manufacturing #shipbuilding

At the 11th hour, on the 11th day of the 11th month - Remembrance Day - we pause to reflect and remember those men and women who have lost their lives in the service of Australia and our allies, in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations around the world. "They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them." Lest We Forget. #wewillrememberthem #remembranceday2024

Austal Australia has delivered the eighth of ten Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats (ECCPB’s) under contract to the Royal Australian Navy. The vessel, ADV Cape Schanck (313), is the eighth ECCPB to be constructed and delivered from Austal’s Henderson, Western Australia shipyard in four and half years. Austal Limited Chief Executive Officer Paddy Gregg said Cape Schanck highlights Western Australia’s naval shipbuilding capability, productivity and reliability, and Austal Australia’s successful collaboration with industry and project partners to deliver eight patrol boats in four and half years. “Austal Australia, with the help of our valued supply chain, industry and project partners, have now delivered eight Evolved Capes to the Royal Australian Navy in just four and half years. That’s an outstanding track record of productivity, with one 58 metre patrol boat delivered (on average) every 6 to 7 months, Mr Gregg said. “We were awarded the Evolved Capes contract in May 2020 and now, less than 5 years later, we have delivered eight boats, despite the challenges of the COVID pandemic and in addition to the (now) 24 Guardian-class Patrol Boats we’re also delivering to Defence Australia. “The Western Australian naval shipbuilding industry should be incredibly proud of this impressive performance, which clearly demonstrates the Henderson Defence Precinct’s capability, productivity, and reliability. Austal Australia, and our 200+ supply chain partners are successfully contributing to the National Naval Shipbuilding Enterprise and Australia’s sovereign capability through the delivery of the Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat Project." “Our congratulations to the Royal Australian Navy on the delivery of ADV Cape Schanck and sincere thanks to the Austal Australia team, the Department of Defence and our supply chain partners in Western Australia and across the country, for their continued support.” Learn more at https://lnkd.in/g7MA-iaY #austal #austalaustralia #ausnavy #evolvedcapeclass #patrolboats #defence #defenceindustry #hendersondefenceprecinct #westernaustralia #sovereigncapability

Austal is proud to be a Gold Sponsor of the Interferry 2024 Conference, on now in Marrakech, Morocco. Aligning with this year's conference theme of 'Safety, Security and Sustainability', the Austal #team's key messaging to the hundreds of delegates gathered from around the world is flexible fuel and technology solutions. Austal is partnering with ferry operators now, to ensure vessels designed and built today are ready for tomorrow. If you're at the conference be sure to say hello to Simon Smith, Luke Pretlove and Mike Wake and learn more about Austal's successful partnerships over the past 35 years, delivering customised high-speed ferry solutions for individual operator requirements. If you're not lucky enough to be in Marrakech, take a look at a new video featuring Austal's Head of Research and Development Sam Abbott talking about the need for new generation ferries to be flexible; both in terms of the maritime fuels that they use and their ability to accept or be reconfigured for future technologies. “Every ferry operator is different, and looking to differentiate from their competitors, so why should we expect high-speed ROPAX ferries to be the same? The future high-speed ROPAX ferry market has to be made up of different maritime fuels and technologies to suit the different requirements of ferry operators." View the video below, or go to Austal's Youtube channel https://lnkd.in/gZGKBWWv #interferry2024 #austal #abetterpartnership #flexible #fuel #technology #solutions #highspeed #ferries

Congratulations to the Austal USA #team on breaking ground on the new submarine module manufacturing facility at the Mobile, Alabama shipyard. This new building, scheduled to be fully operational in late 2026, will significantly increase Austal USA’s capacity to support the US Navy Submarine Industrial Base (SIB), with over 34,000 square metres of indoor manufacturing space purpose-built to manufacture submarine modules. The production from this building will support the U.S. Navy’s goal of delivering one Columbia-class and two Virginia-class submarines annually. This new project, combined with the recent groundbreaking for another manufacturing building, represent over US$750M in expansion of Austal USA’s Mobile facility. In July 2024, Austal USA started construction on a new assembly building to enable the erection of large steel modules for US Navy and U.S. Coast Guard ships, including the Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) and TAGOS-25 programs. The building will occupy four and a half acres providing close to 18,000 square metres of new indoor manufacturing space. This project will include a shiplift system that features an articulated lifting platform approximately 137 metres long by 38 metres wide. The shiplift will provide a safe and reliable system to launch ships as they are completed in the assembly buildings and will also enable bringing ships back on the land-side facility for repair and maintenance. Upon completion of these new buildings, the Austal USA manufacturing facility will include a steel panel line, two module manufacturing facilities and seven assembly bays, set over 180 acres with over 139,000 square metres of indoor manufacturing space. #austal #austalUSA #USNavy #submarine #manufacturing #AUKUS