Austal

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Australian defence company

title: "Austal" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["shipbuilding-companies-of-australia", "defence-companies-of-australia", "companies-established-in-1988", "manufacturing-companies-based-in-perth,-western-australia", "companies-listed-on-the-australian-securities-exchange", "australian-brands"] description: "Australian defence company" topic_path: "geography/australia" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austal" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Australian defence company ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox company"]

FieldValue
nameAustal Limited
logoAustal logo.svg
logo_size150px
typePublic limited company
traded_as
ISINAU000000ASB3
industryShipbuilding and Defence
foundedin Perth, Western Australia
founderJohn Rothwell
hq_location_cityAustralian Marine Complex, Henderson, Western Australia
area_servedWorldwide
key_people
products
revenueA$1.82 billion
revenue_year2025
num_employees4,479
num_employees_year2025
subsid
homepage
footnotes
::

| name = Austal Limited | logo = Austal logo.svg | logo_size = 150px | logo_alt = | logo_caption = | type = Public limited company | traded_as = | ISIN = AU000000ASB3 | industry = Shipbuilding and Defence | fate = | successor = | founded = in Perth, Western Australia | founder = John Rothwell | hq_location_city = Australian Marine Complex, Henderson, Western Australia | area_served = Worldwide | key_people = | products = | services = | revenue = A$1.82 billion | revenue_year = 2025 | operating_income = | profit = | profit_year = | assets = | assets_year = | equity = | equity_year = | owner = | num_employees = 4,479 | num_employees_year = 2025 | divisions = | subsid = | homepage = | footnotes =

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.

Austal has three major ship building facilities. Defence vessels are designed and constructed in Henderson, Western Australia, and Mobile, Alabama, US. Commercial vessels are constructed in Balamban, Philippines. Vessel support is provided through service centres located in Darwin, Cairns and Henderson in Australia; San Diego, California, US; Balamban, Philippines and Muscat, Oman. Corporate headquarters are co-located at Austal's Australian ship building facility in Henderson.

Austal has designed and constructed over 260 vessels for numerous defence forces and commercial fleet operators. Customers include the Australian Border Force, Condor Ferries, Mols Linien of Denmark, Royal Australian Navy, Royal Navy of Oman, and United States Navy.

History

Austal was founded in 1988 by John Rothwell. In December 1998, it was listed on the Australian Securities Exchange.

In May 1999, Oceanfast was purchased. In December 1999, Austal USA was formed in a joint venture with Bender Shipbuilding & Repair of Mobile, Alabama. In September 2006, it purchased Bender's shareholding in Austal USA.

In February 2007, North West Bay Shipping shipyard in Margate, Tasmania was purchased. It was closed in August 2010. In November 2011, a shipyard in Balamban, Philippines was purchased.

Products

1988–2004

Littoral Combat Ship (LCS)

Main article: Independence class littoral combat ship

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cd/USS_Independence_LCS-2_at_pierce_(cropped).jpg" caption="USS ''Independence'' (LCS-2) at [[Naval Air Station Key West"] ::

In October 2005, Austal / General Dynamics was awarded a contract to build the first unit from its design for a Littoral Combat Ship. The keel of was laid down on 19 January 2006 at Austal USA's Mobile, Alabama shipyard, with the naming ceremony held in October 2008. It is now operating with the fleet at its current location in Norfolk, Virginia.

LCS-2 was the first ship built by Austal USA for the US Navy and the Navy's first trimaran Littoral Combat Ship. It is the first naval warship constructed in Mobile, Alabama since World War II. The basis of Austal's seaframe design was the 127 m trimaran hull .

The second Austal/General Dynamics ship, LCS-4, was cancelled in November 2007.

In May 2009, the US Navy renewed the contract with Austal/General Dynamics to build the second LCS, , with delivery scheduled for May 2012.

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/27/HSWHighSpeed5.jpg" caption="Ios"] ::

In December 2010 the US Navy announced a new contract with Austal USA after Austal severed ties with General Dynamics Bath Iron Works. New contracts for Littoral Combat Ships were awarded to both Austal USA and Lockheed Martin. The contract called for one ship to be built beginning in 2010 (), one to be built in 2011 (), and two per year from 2012 to 2015. The LCS-6 contract was for US$432 million, with a goal of having the average ship cost US$352 million each. Another US$20 million was figured in for change orders, and a management reserve.

Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF)

Main article: Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport

In November 2008, Austal was awarded a contract to design and build the US military's next-generation, high-speed catamaran, the Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF), which was formerly called the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV). The contract was part of a larger programme potentially worth over US$1.6 billion.

As the prime contractor, Austal was to design and construct the first 103 m EPF, with options for nine additional vessels expected to be exercised between 2009 and 2013. Construction on the second ship started in September 2010. By the end of 2010, Austal had contracts for three ships, long-lead material contracts for two ships and options for five further ships, for a total of ten.

The EPF is similar to the Austal-built , which the US Marines had used since 2002.

The EPF can carry 635 t, 1200 nmi at an average speed of 35 kn and is able to unload at roll-on/roll-off discharge facilities. The vessels are 103 m long, have a 28.5 m beam with a crew of 22 to 40.

The first four vessels were named , , and .

While the EPF can carry 300 Marines and their gear for up to four days, it is not expected to be survivable against enemy attack.

In 2011, US Navy planners envisioned building up to two dozen of the EPF ships into the 2020s.

Cape-class patrol boats

Main article: Cape-class patrol boat

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ce/ADV_Cape_Otway_&_HMPNGS_Francis_Agwi_at_Austal_shipyards_in_Henderson,_Western_Australia,_October_2021_02.jpg" caption="Comparison of a Cape-class (left) and a Guardian-class patrol boat (right), both built at Austal shipyards in Henderson, Western Australia"] ::

In August 2011, Austal was awarded the contract for the design, construction and through-life support of the s for the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service. The eight, 58 m aluminium monohulls were delivered between March 2013 and August 2015.

In December 2015, Austal entered into a shipbuilding contract with the National Australia Bank to construct two further Cape-class patrol boats. The contract value is A$63 million. The two vessels will be delivered to the National Australia Bank in mid-2017 and chartered to the Australian Government for a minimum term of three years. Austal did a similar off-balance-sheet charter with Westpac Express, which was chartered to the US Navy for 13 years.

In July 2018, the government of Trinidad and Tobago announced the acquisition of two Cape-class patrol boats. The vessels will enhance the border protection capabilities of the country in conjunction with the existing Coast Guard fleet, and will join six Austal Fast Patrol Craft acquired in 2009.

In May 2020, six Evolved Cape-class patrol boats were ordered for the Royal Australian Navy. In 2022, a second order for an additional two vessels was made, and in 2023 a third order for a further two boats.

''Armidale''-class patrol boats

Main article: Armidale class patrol boat

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2c/HMAS_Armidale_Darling_Harbour.jpg" caption="HMAS ''Armidale'' at [[Darling Harbour"] ::

Between June 2005 and February 2008, Austal delivered fourteen, 56.8 m Armidale-class patrol boats to the Royal Australian Navy for coastal defence. The boats were featured on the TV series Sea Patrol.

''P21''-class patrol boats

Main article: P21-class inshore patrol vessel

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e9/Armed_Forces_of_Malta_Inshore_Patrol_Craft,P24-Flickr-_sludgegulper.jpg" caption="P24]]''"] ::

In 2009, the Maritime Squadron of the Armed Forces of Malta ordered four patrol boats from Austal. They were due to replace the Swift-class patrol boats P23 and P24 which had been in commission since 1971 and the Bremse-class patrol boat P32 which had been in commission since 1992. The new vessels were built to Maltese specifications and were partly financed by the European Union.

The first two vessels were launched in October 2009. All four vessels were delivered to Malta in late 2009, and commissioned in March 2010.

Yemeni Navy patrol boats

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/89/US_Navy_071002-N-5459S-113_Sailors_assigned_to_guided-missile_destroyer_USS_Bainbridge_(DDG_96)_consult_with_members_of_the_Yemeni_Coast_Guard_during_their_search_and_rescue_operation_for_survivors_off_the_coast_of_the_Yemeni_i.jpg" caption="Yemeni Navy patrol boat"] ::

In 2005, Austal delivered ten high-speed patrol boats to the Yemeni Navy, which are commercially hired out to protect private shippers.

Omani Navy High Speed Support Vessels (HSSV)

In early 2014, Austal announced it had been awarded a US$124.9 million contract for two High Speed Support Vessels (HSSV) for the Royal Navy of Oman. Both were delivered to the Omani Navy by late 2016. The HSSV has a catamaran hull design similar to the US Navy's Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF).

Commercial and leisure vessels

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e5/20090203-NWFF_NF83.jpg" caption="An ''Austal 48'' for [[New World First Ferry]] in Hong Kong and [[Macau"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/72/Villum_Clausen_3,_Ystad.jpg" caption="Villum Clausen}} was built and delivered in 2000 to [[Bornholmstrafikken]] on the Danish island of [[Bornholm]]."] ::

Austal is one of only two companies building fast multi-hull ferries between 60 and long. In the early 1990s, the ferry industry was transformed with the introduction of large, high-speed catamarans with decks for vehicles. They quickly replaced most hydrofoil and hovercraft services as well as many monohull ferries. The popularity of the new type of multi-hull design led to many shipyards worldwide changing their production to build fast aluminium catamarans.

Eventually capacity exceeded demand and by the end of the 20th century most builders of large fast cats had ceased production. Austal and its only competitor in this category, Hobart-based Incat survived the late 1990s industry collapse. The two companies continue to compete for orders of large multi-hull ferries of up to 11,000 gross tons with capacities of over 1,200 passengers and 400 vehicles.

On 20 August 2014, Austal announced the sale of Austal Hull 270, the company's 102 m trimaran stock vessel, to the UK Channel Islands' ferry operator, Condor Ferries, for A$61.5 million. It was renamed . Modifications to the stock vessel were valued at approximately A$6 million, and was scheduled to enter service in Spring 2015. On 28 March 2015, the ship struck the quayside while attempting to dock in Guernsey on its second day in service. The damage was only minor and above the waterline. Since then, Condor Liberation has had a difficult period of operation with Condor Ferries, encountering numerous technical problems, weather cancellations and sustaining further damage to its hull whilst docked in Poole on 30 December 2015.

Landing craft

In November 2023, defence companies Austal and Birdon announced that they would be building landing craft. They would be built at the Henderson Shipyard in WA.

References

References

  1. (8 August 2018). "Happy 30th Birthday Austal". Austal USA.
  2. (21 November 2014). "Careers". Austal.
  3. (26 April 2017). "Austal Commences Construction of 109 metre High Speed Ferry for Molslinjen of Denmark". Austal.
  4. "Growth, Profitability, and Financial Ratios for Austal Ltd (AUTLF)".
  5. "2025 Austal Annual Report". Austal Limited.
  6. (21 November 2014). "What We Do". Austal.
  7. (5 January 2015). "Ships". Austal.
  8. (21 November 2014). "Service Centres". Austal.
  9. (21 November 2014). "Production Facilities". Austal.
  10. (4 November 2014). "Our Customers". Austal.
  11. [https://web.archive.org/web/20240402214310/https://www.afr.com/street-talk/austal-s-long-serving-chairman-weighs-retirement-as-bids-land-20240402-p5fgtw Austal’s long-serving chairman weighs retirement as bids land] ''[[Australian Financial Review]]'' 3 April 2024
  12. [https://www.asx.com.au/asx/v2/statistics/displayAnnouncement.do?display=text&issuerId=3968&announcementId=365963&documentDate=1998-12-04&documentNumber=155628 Admission to Official List] [[Australian Securities Exchange]] 4 December 1998
  13. [https://www.afr.com/companies/smoother-seas-20041104-ka92k Smoother seas] ''Australian Financial Review'' 4 November 2004
  14. [https://www.asx.com.au/asx/v2/statistics/displayAnnouncement.do?display=text&issuerId=3968&announcementId=283257&documentDate=1999-05-31&documentNumber=162388 Austal Limited formally acquires Oceanfast Shipbuilding operations] Austral 31 May 1999
  15. [https://web.archive.org/web/20240608010411/https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/50018556/issue-2-1999-austal-ships Oceanfast joins the Austal Group] Austal Group News issue 2 1999 page 1
  16. [http://web.archive.org/web/20200501102143/https://www.asx.com.au/asx/statistics/displayAnnouncement.do?display=text&issuerId=3968&announcementId=318585&documentDate=1999-12-21&documentNumber=171807 US Joint Venture] Austal 21 December 1999
  17. [https://web.archive.org/web/20200501114245/https://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20060918/pdf/3yjdzh4pd77pc.pdf Austal Acquires Minority Interest] Austral 18 September 2006
  18. [https://web.archive.org/web/20200501114722/https://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20070226/pdf/3114nh5pg7jcpv.pdf Austal Purchases Shipyard Facilities] Austal 26 February 2007
  19. [https://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20100512/pdf/31q98cz3kj6qvr.pdf Rationalisation of Australian Operations] Austal 12 May 2010
  20. [https://www.abc.net.au/news/2010-08-09/end-of-an-era-for-tasmanian-shipyard/937720 End of an era for Tasmanian shipbuilding] ''[[ABC News (Australia). ABC News]]'' 9 August 2010
  21. [https://web.archive.org/web/20200501121520/https://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20111107/pdf/422bvq442751fj.pdf Austal Makes Strategic Asian Shipyard Acquisition] Austal 5 November 2011
  22. (10 January 2008). "Navy Christens Littoral Combat Ship Independence". U.S. Department of Defense.
  23. "BYM Marine & Maritime Defence News".
  24. (1 November 2007). "U.S.Navy Press Release No. 1269-07".
  25. (2 May 2009). "Navy orders second LCS from Austal".
  26. (8 March 2010). "Austal USA, General Dynamics Bath Iron Works Dissolve LCS Partnership".
  27. (August 2021)
  28. [https://blog.al.com/live/2010/09/austal_starts_work_on_2nd_high.html Austal starts work on 2nd high-speed military transport ship]
  29. [http://peoships.crane.navy.mil/FAQ_JHSV_vs_LCS.htm JHSV vs. LCS]{{dead link. (April 2025)
  30. [https://archive.today/20120805084024/http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=56163 Construction Commences on First Navy Joint High Speed Vessel]
  31. (8 November 2011). "Austal Celebrates Keel Laying for JHSV2 – the "Choctaw County"". Austal.
  32. [https://www.upi.com/Business_News/Security-Industry/2010/02/04/Austal-to-build-JHSVs-for-US-Navy/UPI-98501265322743/ Austal to build JHSVs for U.S. Navy]
  33. Cavas, Christopher P. [http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20180228040413/https://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i%3D6817725%26c%3DSEA%26s%3DTOP "JHSV Module Damaged at Ala. Shipyard."] ''Defense News'', 14 June 2011
  34. (13 December 2015). "Expansion of Cape Class Program". Austal.
  35. (2018-07-29). "GOVERNMENT OF TRINIDAD & TOBAGO ANNOUNCES FUTURE ACQUISITION OF TWO AUSTAL CAPE CLASS PATROL BOATS". Austal: Corporate.
  36. Nicholson, Dylan. (2020-04-30). "Navy to get new patrol boats to boost capability".
  37. Defence, Department of. (2020-04-30). "New patrol boats to boost Navy capability".
  38. [https://web.archive.org/web/20200502105415/https://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20200501/pdf/44hgqm5th90y1j.pdf Austal Australia Awarded $324 Million Contract to build Six Cape-Class Patrol Boats] Austal 1 May 2020
  39. [https://web.archive.org/web/20200501125338/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-01/shipbuilder-recieves-350-million-to-construct-navy-patrol-boats/12204238 Shipbuilder receives $350 million lifeline to construct six new patrol boats during Covid-19] ''[[ABC News (Australia). ABC News]]'' 1 May 2020
  40. "Visit to Australia by Republic of Malta Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs The Hon Dr Tonio Borg". Australian Government - Department of Foreign Affairs.
  41. (3 July 2009). ""Excellent Relationship" Sees Rapid Patrol Boat Construction". Austal.
  42. (6 October 2009). "New AFM patrol boats launched". [[Times of Malta]].
  43. (6 October 2009). "Austal Launches Maltese Patrol Boats". Austal.
  44. (16 March 2010). "Patrol boats to be commissioned on Thursday". [[Times of Malta]].
  45. ""Austal to Build 10 Naval Patrol Boats for Yemen."".
  46. Knickmeyer, Ellen. [https://foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/11/16/the_privateers_of_yemen "The Privateers of Yemen."] ''[[Foreign Policy Magazine]]'', 17 November 2010
  47. [http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1889 Austal contract for two 72m High Speed Support Vessels is for the Royal Navy of Oman] - Navyrecognition.com, 10 July 2014
  48. (9 September 2016). "Oman receives second HSSV as Austal targets UAE". Jane's 360.
  49. "Sale of Stock Boat "Austal Hull 270", and Customisation Contract Award".
  50. "Birdon selected as designer for Landing Craft Medium Capability - Australian Defence Magazine".

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shipbuilding-companies-of-australiadefence-companies-of-australiacompanies-established-in-1988manufacturing-companies-based-in-perth,-western-australiacompanies-listed-on-the-australian-securities-exchangeaustralian-brands