MOBILE, Ala. – Austal USA hosted a ceremony April 12 to celebrate the opening of the company’s state-of-the-art steel facility in front of over 200 guests from the Navy, Coast Guard, federal, state and local government, and the Embassy of Australia. The addition of steel shipbuilding capability, for future ships, it complements the company’s established aluminum shipbuilding expertise. The $100M steel manufacturing line will create jobs and spur economic growth, while developing local workforce in the trades to meet the demands. Austal USA President Rusty Murdaugh: “The addition of steel capability is a game changer" in support of the Navy, Coast Guard and other customers with high-quality ships." The 117,000 square foot addition will house state-of-the-art computerized and robotic steel processing equipment to handle all of the current and future demands. A 60,000 square foot stock yard will be utilized for handling the raw steel and a 19,500 square foot paint facility will provide the ability to paint and blast simultaneously in two separate cells, or both cells can be combined providing the ability to paint super-modules. Austal has delivered 15 Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) and 12 Expeditionary Fast Transports (EPF) to the Navy. Seven aluminum Navy ships are under construction. The company is also under contract to build two Navajo-class Towing, Salvage, and Rescue Ships (T-ATS); these will be the first steel ships constructed in the new facility. (Source: Austal USA 04/12/22)
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