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Area Development - Site Selection, Facility Planning and Workforce Development

Austal USA Expands Mobile, Alabama, Operations

07/12/2024
Austal USA, a subsidiary of the Australian shipbuilder Austal, plans to expand its operations in Mobile, Alabama. The more than $288 million project is expected to create 1,032 jobs over the next four years.

The new 192,000-square-foot assembly facility, located at the company’s existing site, will feature three bays to build large steel modules including the Coast Guard’s Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) and the Navy’s TAGOS-25 ocean surveillance steel ships.

“This represents a significant milestone for the city of Mobile, the state of Alabama and the U.S. defense industrial base,” said Austal USA President Michelle Kruger. “As we have done throughout our history, Austal USA is again expanding our facility to meet the needs of the Nation.”

Austal USA is currently under contract for several programs, including the U.S. Coast Guard’s Heritage-class Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC), and the U.S. Navy TAGOS-25 ocean surveillance ship, Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF), Navajo-class Towing, Salvage and Rescue ship (T-ATS), Landing Craft Utility (LCU) vessel, Expeditionary Medical Ship (EMS), Auxiliary Floating Dry Dock Medium (AFDM), and Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) programs. The company is also supporting Navy unmanned vessel programs leveraging its advanced machinery control system.

“Austal’s growth plans in Mobile will have a massive impact on the shipbuilding industry in the Port City,” noted Ellen McNair, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce. “Not only will this expansion create more than 1,000 jobs with a significant new investment, but it will also broaden Austal’s manufacturing capabilities and solidify its future in Mobile.”

“This is a big deal for the future of shipbuilding in Mobile,” added Mobile Chamber President and CEO Bradley Byrne. “The new Final Assembly 2 will provide job growth as the OPC and TAGOS-25 programs transition from design to production and enhance the infrastructure needed for future contract competitions.”

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