Austal USA Celebrates 20 Years
Austal USA celebrated its 20th anniversary, Dec. 8, on the heels of the joyous celebration of christening the future USS Mobile (LCS 26).
In 1999, Austal USA started out building commercial crew boats, dinner boats and passenger ferries, including the world’s largest high-speed aluminum ferries at the time, the Hawaii super ferries Alakai and Huakai.
Early success enabled Austal USA to enter the U.S. defense market in 2004 with the initial award of its first Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), as a subcontractor to General Dynamics-Bath Iron Works, and its second LCS in 2009. Austal USA was also awarded, as prime contractor, 10 Expeditionary Fast Transports (EPFs), formerly known as Joint High-Speed Vessels, in 2009 followed by the block-buy prime contract for the construction of 10 more LCS in late 2010. These wins resulted in a massive $470 million facility expansion and employment growth to over 4,000 employees by 2014.
Today, Austal USA is successfully executing both the LCS and EPF programs totaling 33 ships. Including the USS Mobile christening Dec. 7, the company has christened 20 ships in five years, and with the delivery of the USNS Puerto Rico (EPF 11) Tuesday, Austal has delivered 20 surface ships to the Navy in less than seven years, all while maintaining one of the safest shipyards in the country as evidenced by receiving safety performance awards from the Shipbuilders Council of America the last five consecutive years and 10 of the last 11 years.
Austal USA also continues to grow its service business with service centers in Mobile, San Diego and Singapore, supporting fleet sustainment activity around the globe.
“Our first 20 years have been nothing short of a national success story thanks to the incredible shipbuilding professionals here at Austal USA, the thousands of suppliers across the country including over 250 right here in South Alabama, our partnership with the Navy, and the incredible support from our elected officials on the local, state and federal levels,” said Austal USA President Craig Perciavalle. “Our incredible momentum and continued success in safely delivering surface ships to the U.S. Navy on cost and on schedule positions us well for the future as the Navy continues to find very capable and cost effective ways to achieve a 355-ship fleet at a quick rate.”
“What an amazing first 20 years. I can’t wait for the next 20.”
