Page 37: of Marine News Magazine (October 2022)

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MN

Austal USA

Austal

USA and long lead-time material for one Heritage class OPC, as their ability to deliver. This is excellent news for the fu- with options for production of up to 10 additional vessels, ture of our Coast Guard and for shipbuilding in Alabama. the Coast Guard announced in June. The deal could be I look forward to the positive impact that Austal and Mo- worth up to $3.33 billion if all options are exercised. bile have on the security of our nation.”

Austal USA, which has built and continues to build a number of aluminum vessel classes for the U.S. Navy, recent-

C SONRAD HIPYARD ly opened a new $100 million facility that gives it steel ship-

Conrad Industries, Inc., established in 1948 and head- building capabilities as it geared up to bid for the OPC build quartered in Morgan City, La., designs, builds and over- program—which it expects to start in 2023. In July, Austal hauls tugboats, ferries, liftboats, barges, offshore supply

USA began building its ? rst steel vessel, a Navajo Class Tow- vessels and other steel and aluminum products for both ing, Salvage, and Rescue Ship (T-ATS 11) for the U.S. Navy.

the commercial and government markets. The company “The United States Coast Guard’s new Offshore Patrol provides both repair and new construction services at its

Cutters are an outstanding opportunity for Austal USA to ? ve modern and expansive shipyards located in southern further demonstrate the shipyard’s new steel shipbuilding Louisiana and Texas.

capability; based on years of proven construction experi- ence through the delivery of the LCS and EPF programs for the United States Navy,” Paddy Gregg, CEO of Austal

Conrad

USA’s Australian parent company Austal Limited, said at the time of the OPC award.

Shipyard

Austal USA president Rusty Murdaugh said, “This con- tract award is the result of our continued investment in our people and our facilities. We are thrilled for the op- portunities this will bring to our local community and our tremendous supplier base, as this program will provide our shipbuilding team the stability for continued growth.” “The Coast Guard’s decision to select Austal USA to build its second round of Offshore Patrol Cutters high- lights the world-class workforce and proven track record of the Mobile shipyard,” said U.S. Senator Richard Shel- by (R-Ala.). “This contract speaks to the reliability and strength of Austal employees along the Gulf Coast, as well

Conrad Shipyard www.marinelink.com MN 37|