BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Moored alongside Austal USA’s shipbuilding facility, in plain view across the river from downtown Mobile, the future USNS Newport (EPF 12) represents the shipbuilder’s successes, yet opens the door for questions about its future. Austal recently announced the 12th Expeditionary Fast Transport (Newport) built in Mobile had completed sea trials and was ready for delivery to the Navy. It was anticipated to happen at the end of the month. In the meantime, teams attended to final punch list details. The sea trials were a milestone for Austal and EPF 12. The burning question now: How many more milestones remain for this class of ships, and the workforce that’s been building them since 2010? The writing is on the wall for Austal’s other major build, the Littoral Combat Ship. It’ll take Austal until around 2024 to finish the last one on the books, USS Pierre (LCS 38). There are no plans to order additional LCS. Meanwhile, construction is underway on the future USNS Apalachicola (EPF 13). Work will begin later this year on the future USS Cody (EPF 14) - the last EPF on order. Austal is Mobile area’s largest industrial employer, with a workforce of about 4,000. There’s a lot riding on the question of what will keep them busy after Cody and Pierre hit the water. There may be additional orders for more EPFs, making it a potential lifeline to Austal’s future. What comes after EPF, and the workers who build it, remains an unknown. It’s a swirl of politics, budgetary compromises, Navy priorities … and opportunities. (Source: Alabama Media Group 08/18/20) https://www.stripes.com/news/us/shipbuilder-austal-usa-s-fast-transport-enticing-possibilities-unclear-politics-1.641747
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