Austal USA

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Austal USA
Type Limited liability company
Industry Ship building
Founded1999
Headquarters
Blakeley Island
,
United States
ProductsAluminium  commercial and
defense vessels
Revenue $1.16 billion (2018)
A$83 million (2018)
Number of employees
4,000(2021) [1] [2]
Parent Austal
Website usa.austal.com

Austal USA is an American shipbuilder based on Blakeley Island in Mobile, Alabama. It is a subsidiary of the Australian shipbuilder Austal, operating under a Special Security Arrangement which allows it to work independently and separately on some of the most sensitive United States defense programs despite its foreign ownership. [3]

Contents

Austal USA was formed in 1999 when Austal formed a 70:30 joint venture with Bender Shipbuilding & Repair Co to build ferries. [4] Austal bought out its partner in September 2006. [5]

Notable projects for the shipbuilder include the United States Navy's Independence class littoral combat ship (first launched in 2008) and United States Coast Guard's Heritage-class cutter (contract awarded in 2022).

Projects

Austal USA's first contract was for two crew supply vessels for service in the Gulf of Mexico. [6] These were followed by a ferry for Lighthouse Fast Ferry of New York. [7]

Austal USA built the Lake Express for service across Lake Michigan, and the Alakai for Hawaii Superferry. Huakai , the second high-speed vehicle-passenger catamaran for Hawaii Superferry was launched at Austal USA. At 113 meters (371 feet) long, the new vessel is 6 meters (20 feet) longer than the Alakai, thanks to a bi-fold ramp, added by Austal to its stern, for use in austere ports without shore-side loading facilities, making it suitable for military use. The National Geographic Channel series MegaStructures featured an episode in September 2007 that detailed the construction, launch, and sea trials of the Alakai, the first catamaran Hawaii Superferry. [8]

Austal USA is currently constructing the Independence class of littoral combat ships for the United States Navy, based on a 127 m (417 ft) advanced trimaran seaframe. [9] In March 2015, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus testified before Congress that the Navy intends to purchase 52 of the vessels. The final 20 will be upgraded with new capabilities. The cost of each ship is about $350 million. [10]

USS Independence (LCS-2) at the Austal USA shipyards along the Mobile River in Mobile, Alabama USS Independence (LCS-2).jpg
USS Independence (LCS-2) at the Austal USA shipyards along the Mobile River in Mobile, Alabama

In November 2008, Austal USA won a United States Navy contract to build ten Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport ships. The design, with a catamaran seaframe, was drawn from the Austal-built MV Westpac Express. Unlike the Littoral Combat Ship, the Joint High Speed Vessel is for transport, not combat. [11]

In July 2010, Austal USA hosted a keel-laying ceremony at its shipyard to signify the erection of the first modules on USAV Spearhead (JHSV 1), lead ship in the 10-ship Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) program, The JHSV program has a potential worth of over $1.6 billion for the company. [12] In December 2012, the navy awarded its final option under its current contract, and ordered JHSV-10. [13]

Austal USA signed a contract for 10 Joint High Speed Vessels (JHSVs). One of them, the Trenton (JHSV 5) completed acceptance trials in March 2015 and was delivered in April 2015 to the Navy's Military Sealift Command. [14]

In May 2016, Austal USA was awarded a $18.5 million contract from the Navy for the 12th Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) vessel. [15]

On June 30, 2022, the United States Coast Guard awarded Austal USA a contract to build up to 11 Offshore Patrol Cutters under Phase 2 of the program, with a potential total combined price of $3.3 billion if all 11 ships are ordered. [16]

Unionizing efforts

Following complaints from the Sheet Metal Workers' International Association (SMWIA), Austal USA has twice been found to have engaged in unfair labor practices with respect to the organizing effort of unions by the National Labor Relations Board. Unionization had been rejected by employees in elections held in May 2002 and April 2008. [17] A third attempt in August 2011 was again rejected with a vote of 613 against unionization to 367 for it. The SMWIA filed a new complaint with the labor board after the result. [18]

Discrimination allegations

In March 2008, the company was sued by 22 employees for alleged racial discrimination and a hostile work environment. [19] The company was found not guilty in separate discrimination trials that culminated in October 2011 and January 2012. A request for a new discrimination trial was rejected in March 2012 by a federal court. [20] After appeals, seven of the plaintiffs were allowed to proceed to trial. Juries found in favor of Austal USA in April 2015. [21]

Related Research Articles

<i>Sea Fighter</i> (FSF-1) Experimental US Navy littoral combat ship

Sea Fighter (FSF-1) is an experimental littoral combat ship in service with the United States Navy. Its hull is of a small-waterplane-area twin-hull (SWATH) design, provides exceptional stability, even on rough seas. The ship can operate in both blue and littoral waters. For power, it can use either its dual gas-turbine engines for speed or its dual diesel engines for efficient cruising. It can be easily reconfigured through the use of interchangeable mission modules. Helicopters can land and launch on its deck. Smaller water craft can be carried and launched from its stern. The vessel is being developed under the program title Littoral Surface Craft-Experimental with a hull type designation Fast Sea Frame. The first vessel has been assigned the hull classification symbol FSF 1 and also has been referred to as the X-Craft. The vessel was designed by British company BMT Nigel Gee Ltd who continue with a role in the development of the vessel.

HSC <i>Dublin Swift</i>

Dublin Swift is a high-speed catamaran built in 2001 by Austal as a passenger and vehicle catamaran ferry. After conversion to a Maritime Prepositioning ship the vessel was chartered by the United States Navy's Military Sealift Command until January 2018 as WestPac Express. It was then converted for civilian use as a passenger ferry by Irish Ferries and renamed Dublin Swift.

<i>HST-2</i>

HST-2, formerly named USNS Puerto Rico and Alakai, is a vessel owned by the United States Navy Military Sealift Command. She was originally Hawaii Superferry's first high-speed ferry. The vessel was later chartered by Bay Ferries Limited to operate a ferry service between Maine and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Austal</span> Australian defence company

Austal Limited is an Australian-based global ship building company and defence prime contractor that specialises in the design, construction and support of defence and commercial vessels. Austal's product range includes naval vessels, high-speed ferries, and supply or crew transfer vessels for offshore windfarms and oil and gas platforms.

<i>Independence</i>-class littoral combat ship US Navy small coastal combat ships

The Independence class is a class of littoral combat ships built for the United States Navy.

USNS <i>Guam</i> United States Navy high-speed transport vessel

USNS Guam (T-HST-1), formerly Hawaii Superferry's Huakai, is a United States Navy high-speed transport vessel. The ship was completed in September 2008 and was intended to start Hawaiian service in May 2009, though delivery postponements saw that planned service canceled. In the Hawaiian language, huakaʻi means "journey".

<i>Spearhead</i>-class expeditionary fast transport US navy catamaran

The Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport (EPF) is a United States Navy–led shipbuilding program to provide a high-speed, shallow draft vessel intended for rapid intra-theater transport of medium-sized cargo payloads. The EPFs can reach speeds of 35–45 knots (65–83 km/h; 40–52 mph), and allow the rapid transit and deployment of conventional or special forces, equipment and supplies. The vessels are a part of Military Sealift Command's Sealift Program. The class was previously designated as "Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV)", and redesignated in September 2015.

USNS <i>Fall River</i>

USNS Fall River (JHSV-4/T-EPF-4) is the fourth Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport, which is operated by the United States Navy's Military Sealift Command (MSC). Fall River was built by Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama.

USNS <i>Spearhead</i>

USNS Spearhead (JHSV-1/T-EPF-1) is the lead ship of the Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport to be operated by the United States Navy's Military Sealift Command. USNS Spearhead was christened on 17 September 2011.

USS <i>Omaha</i> (LCS-12) Independence-class littoral combat ship

USS Omaha (LCS-12) is an Independence-class littoral combat ship of the United States Navy. She is the fourth ship to be named for Omaha, the largest city in Nebraska. The vessel's keel was laid down on 18 February 2015 at the Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, Alabama and launched on 20 November. The ship was commissioned at San Diego, California on 3 February 2018 and was assigned to Littoral Combat Ship Squadron One.

USNS <i>Millinocket</i>

USNS Millinocket (JHSV-3/T-EPF-3)(ex-Fortitude) is the third Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport, which is operated by the United States Navy's Military Sealift Command and was built in Mobile, Alabama.

USNS <i>Trenton</i>

USNS Trenton (JHSV-5/T-EPF-5), (ex-Resolute) is the fifth Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport, operated by the United States Navy's Military Sealift Command. Spearhead-class ships are used to support overseas operations, conduct humanitarian aid and disaster relief, and support special operations forces. This type of vessel also has an aviation flight deck and can operate in shallow waters.

USNS <i>Brunswick</i> Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport

USNS Brunswick (JHVS-6/T-EPF-6), is the sixth Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport, currently in service with the United States Navy's Military Sealift Command. It is the fourth ship in naval service named after Brunswick, Georgia. Brunswick is one of three expeditionary fast transport ships in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility to continue its mission of providing rapid intra-theater transport of troops and military equipment. Like other EPFs of its class, the Brunswick is capable of carrying up to 600 short tons of equipment for distances of 1,200 nautical miles at an average speed of 35 knots.

USNS <i>Choctaw County</i> Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport

USNS Choctaw County (JHSV-2/T-EPF-2), (ex-Vigilant) is the second Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport, which is operated by the United States Navy's Military Sealift Command and was built in Mobile, Alabama.

USS <i>Charleston</i> (LCS-18) Independence-class littoral combat ship of the United States Navy

USS Charleston (LCS-18) is an Independence-class littoral combat ship of the United States Navy. She is the sixth ship to be named for Charleston, the oldest and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina.

USNS <i>Carson City</i> Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport

USNS Carson City (JHSV-7/T-EPF-7), (ex-Courageous) is the seventh Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport, currently in service with the United States Navy's Military Sealift Command. She is the second ship in naval service named after Carson City, Nevada.

USNS <i>City of Bismarck</i> Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport

USNS City of Bismarck (JHSV-9/T-EPF-9), (ex-Sacrifice) is the ninth Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport and operated by the United States Navy's Military Sealift Command. It is the first ship in naval service named after Bismarck, North Dakota’s capital city.

USS <i>Mobile</i> (LCS-26) Independence-class littoral combat ship of the United States Navy

USS Mobile (LCS-26) is an Independence-class littoral combat ship of the United States Navy. Named for the city of Mobile, Alabama, she is the fifth ship to carry the name.

USNS <i>Puerto Rico</i> (T-EPF-11) Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport

USNS Puerto Rico (T-EPF-11) is the eleventh Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport and currently in service with the United States Navy's Military Sealift Command.

USS <i>Kingsville</i> Independence-class littoral combat ship of the United States Navy

USS Kingsville (LCS-36) will be an Independence-class littoral combat ship of the United States Navy. She will be the first ship to be named for Kingsville, Texas, which is home to Naval Air Station Kingsville.

References

  1. ↑ "Our People". 18 December 2014.
  2. ↑ "Largest Employers | Jobs | CareerOneStop".
  3. ↑ "Austal Awarded FCL by DoD". 9 May 2008.
  4. ↑ US Joint Venture Austal December 21, 1999
  5. ↑ Austal Acquires Minority Interest Austal September 18, 2006
  6. ↑ Austal USA Secures Two Vessel Contract Austal February 8, 2001
  7. ↑ Austal USA Sign Contract for Sale of 26m Stock Vessel May 28, 2002
  8. ↑ "Austal-built Hawaii Superferry to Feature on National Geographic". Austal Corporate Website. Archived from the original on 23 October 2007. Retrieved 3 December 2007.
  9. ↑ "Austal Wins Second Littoral Combat Ship Order". Austal Corporate Website. Archived from the original on 14 December 2007. Retrieved 3 December 2007.
  10. ↑ Finch II, Michael (17 March 2015). "Navy Secretary Ray Mabus urges lawmakers not to slow production of littoral combat ships". AL.com. Retrieved 20 March 2015.
  11. ↑ Austal in Mobile wins $1.6B Navy contract Press-Register November 3, 2008
  12. ↑ "Keel Laying Ceremony for Spearhead JHSV." Maritime News. Retrieved July 23, 2010.
  13. ↑ "Navy Exercises Tenth JHSV Construction Option". Marine Log. Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  14. ↑ "Flurry of Contracts Spark US Navy Shipbuilding". 3 April 2015. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  15. ↑ Sam LaGrone (5 May 2016). "Austal USA Awarded Long Lead Contract for 12th EPF". USNI News. United States Naval Institute . Retrieved 1 September 2016.
  16. ↑ "Austal USA Wins Massive $3.3 Billion Dollar Offshore Patrol Cutter Contract". Forbes. Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  17. ↑ Murtaugh, Dan. "Union gets third shot at Austal workers." Press-Register, June 5, 2011.
  18. ↑ Murtaugh, Dan (17 August 2011). "Austal union election result contested by Sheet Metal Workers". Press Register. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  19. ↑ Murtaugh, Dan "Austal race claims must go to trial, federal judge rules." Press-Register, April 27, 2011.
  20. ↑ Kirby, Brendan (26 March 2012). "Judge denies request for new trial in Austal discrimination case". Press Register. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  21. ↑ Toner, Casey (2 April 2015). "Austal did not tolerate racial harassment, juries rule". AL.com. Retrieved 3 April 2015.

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