Prime Minister Inspects Austal's Naval Shipbuilding Capabilities In Western Australia

Austal Limited (ASX:ASB) welcomed Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott to Austal’s Western Australian Shipyard today in a tour which included the inspection of two Corvette-sized High Speed Support Vessels, currently under construction for the Royal Navy of Oman.

Austal CEO Andrew Bellamy and Prime Minister Tony Abbott

Austal Chief Executive Officer Andrew Bellamy said the Australian Government’s recent announcement on a continuous shipbuilding program, including Future Frigates and Offshore Patrol Vessels, was a transformative change for the sustainability of Australia’s naval shipbuilding industry.

Mr Bellamy highlighted Western Australia’s long and proud tradition of shipbuilding and sustainment, including Austal’s design, construction and support of Commonwealth’s Patrol boats for the past 17 years.

Inspecting the 72m High Speed Support Vessel, which Austal was contracted to build after a competitive evaluation process, the Prime Minister was told of the numerous export vessel programs Austal has delivered over a period of more than 25 years, including the Frigate-sized 127m Littoral Combat Ship and 103m Joint High Speed Vessel programs for the United States Navy.

The Prime Minister praised Austal’s track record in winning export defence contracts.

“As Australia’s only global defence prime contractor, with a strong domestic and international track record of success in delivering multiple naval vessel programs on time and within budget, Austal eagerly awaits the Competitive Evaluation Process - for both the Future Frigates and Offshore Patrol Vessels - and welcomes the opportunity to demonstrate the company’s competitiveness.” Mr Bellamy said.

The company has also submitted a proposal for the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Program, which shall see 21patrol boats designed, built and sustained for Pacific Island nations from 2017.

The Prime Minister was accompanied by special guests WA Liberal Senator Linda Reynolds, Luke Simpkins MP (Federal Member for Cowan) and Commodore Peter Lockwood (representing the Chief of the Defence Force).

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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 25 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 250 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 Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) for the United States 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.

For further information contact:

Cameron Morse, FTI Consulting
Tel:      +61 8 9485 8888
Email:  cameron.morse@fticonsulting.com