Page 47: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (August 2025)

AUSTAL USA

In his time at Austal USA he led the company’s transition into steel shipbuilding and autonomy; its expansion into Singapore and San Diego; and winning efforts for over $10B in contract awards including recent wins of the U.S. Coast Guard Offshore

Patrol Cutter (OPC) and Navy TAGOS programs. He also developed the concept for the Expeditionary Medical Ship (EMS) which led to a $1B multi-ship award. program at the AM Center of Excellence in Danville, Va., Ryder said, noting that the submarine industrial base, the OPC building a network of quali? ed vendors capable of supplying program, and autonomous vessel development will remain critical submarine parts. major focus areas in the next two to three years.

Beyond new construction, Austal USA has built a strong Alongside its physical expansion, Austal is investing in ad- repair business anchored by its 15-acre San Diego facility vanced manufacturing technologies, business system transfor- adjacent to Naval Base San Diego. This site is being out? t- mation leveraging AI, and workforce development initiatives to ted with a dry dock capable of docking LCS, National Secu- ensure it can meet the growing demand for maritime capabilities.

rity Cutters, and future frigates. Additional service centers in

Mobile and Singapore provide lifecycle support for Navy and

Military Sealift Command vessels.

Austal USA at a Glance

Founded: 1999

Headquarters: Mobile, Alabama (180 acres on Mobile Bay)

THE TRUMP BUMP

Employees: Thousands across Alabama, Virginia, California, and Singapore

For Ryder, the Trump Administration’s Executive Orders, the

Production Space: More than 1M sq. ft., with 560,000 sq. ft. under

SHIPS Act, and increased funding for maritime priorities rep- construction

Major Programs: Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC), TAGOS, Virginia- resent a long-overdue shift in U.S. policy. “Tools like these are and Columbia-class submarine modules, autonomous vessels critical to building a strong domestic maritime base,” he said.

Legacy Deliveries: 32 U.S. Navy ships (average 2/year since 2009)

Capital Investment: $1B by 2026, including new submarine and

This new policy environment is enabling Austal to acceler- surface-ship facilities and a shiplift for vessels over 18,000 long tons ate investments and pursue programs vital to the Navy’s future

Repair Operations: 15-acre San Diego facility (future dry dock) + service centers in Mobile and Singapore force structure. “We’re very bullish on our continued growth,” www.marinelink.com 47

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