Austal bags US Navy contract for two additional T-ATS ships

Shipbuilding company Austal USA has been awarded a fixed-price incentive contract option from the US Navy for the construction of two Navajo-class towing, salvage, and rescue ships (T-ATS 13 and 14).

Under a $156 million contract, the company will use its ship manufacturing processes and innovative methods that incorporate lean manufacturing principles, modular construction, and moving assembly lines.

Austal Limited Chief Executive Officer Paddy Gregg said the latest contract award re-affirmed the US Navy’s confidence in Austal USA’s capabilities as a steel shipbuilder, following the start of construction on T-ATS 11, earlier this month.

“It’s a great sign of confidence by the Navy, in the Austal USA team’s ability to deliver both steel and aluminium ships simultaneously, that they have awarded a contract for another two vessels.”

T-ATS is an ocean-going tug, salvage, and rescue ship designed to support the navy’s fleet operations, with a multi-mission common hull platform capable of towing heavy ships.

The ships are capable of supporting a variety of missions, including oil spill response, humanitarian assistance, search and rescue and surveillance.

Construction on T-ATS 13 and 14 will commence in the second half of 2023 and the first half of 2024, with delivery planned for the second half of 2025 and the first half of 2026, respectively.

In addition to T-ATS, Austal USA is currently constructing the US Navy’s Independence-variant littoral combat ship (LCS) and Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport.

The company was also recently awarded a contract for up to 11 steel offshore patrol cutters for the US Coast Guard, worth up to $3.3 billion.