Austal Australia Welcomes Minister for Immigration and Border Protection

Austal Limited (ASX:ASB) has welcomed Australia’s Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, The Hon. Peter Dutton MP to the company’s Henderson, Western Australia shipyard.

Joined by Senator Linda Reynolds CSC, Senator Dr Chris Back, and Air Vice-Marshal Stephen Osborne CSC, Minister Dutton viewed Australian Border Force Cutters ABFC Cape Leveque and ABFC Cape St George, which are being serviced under a A$330million acquisition and sustainment contract awarded to Austal by the Commonwealth of Australia in 2011.

Minister Dutton, Senator Reynolds, Senator Back and Air Vice-Marshal Stephen Osborne CSC met with Austal Chief Executive Officer, David Singleton and were introduced to the Commanding Officer of the ABFC Cape St George, Paul Grant and his crew.

“We’re very grateful for this terrific opportunity to highlight to the Minister our sustainment teams’ success in delivering industry-best service and support to the Australian Border Force’s eight Cape-class Patrol Boats - which we designed and built here in Henderson” David Singleton said.

“At peak production over the financial year 2014-15, Austal was delivering a Cape every 10 weeks, which not only demonstrates the productivity of this shipyard but also the efficiency and reliability of our established, Australian supply chain,” Singleton added.

In addition to the eight Cape class Patrol Boats in operation around Australia, Austal is delivering an additional two Capes for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Cape Fourcroy and Cape Inscription are on schedule for delivery to the RAN in the second quarter of CY2017.

Minister Duttons’ party also viewed progress on the remediation program for the RAN’s Armidale-class Patrol Boats, with HMAS Childers and HMAS Armidale currently in the shipyard as part of the seven vessel contract Austal is delivering on-time for the Commonwealth of Australia.

Austal welcomed Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, The Hon. Peter Dutton MP and Air Vice-Marshal Stephen Osborne CSC to view the Australian Border Force Cutters ABFC Cape Leveque and ABFC Cape St George at the company's shipyard in Henderson, WA. (Photo: Austal)

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About Austal

Austal is a global defence prime contractor and a designer and manufacturer of defence and commercial ships. For more than 27 years Austal has been a leader in the design, construction and maintenance of revolutionary ships for governments, navies and ferry operators around the world. More than 255 vessels have been delivered in that time.

Ships

Defence vessels designed and built by Austal include multi-mission combatants, such as the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) for the United States Navy and military high speed vessels for transport and humanitarian relief, such as the Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) ships for the U.S. Navy and High Speed Support Vessel (HSSV) for the Royal Navy of Oman. Austal also designs, constructs, integrates and maintains an extensive range of patrol and auxiliary vessels for government agencies globally, including the Cape Class Patrol Boat Program for Australian Border Force. Defence vessels are designed and constructed in Mobile, Alabama and in Henderson, Western Australia.

Austal has been at the forefront of the high speed ferry market since the early days of the industry. Our market leading designs of high performance aluminium vessels have long been at the heart of Austal’s research and development. Today, commercial ship construction is centred on our shipyard in Balamban, Philippines.

Systems

Austal has expertise in integrating complex systems into its ships, including ride control, ship management, and communication, sensors and weapon systems.

Support

Austal provides a wide range of support services, including through life support, integrated logistics support, vessel sustainment and systems support. These services are delivered through our global support network in the USA, Australia, Asia, and the Middle East together with partner shipyards worldwide.