Austal continues to grow Systems and Support business

Austal Australia is pleased to announce the award of multiple Systems and Support contracts for customers including the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Raytheon Australia and Svitzer Australia.

President Graham Backhouse said, “It is testament to the dedication and hard work of our teams that we continue to deliver on our strategy to maximise operational efficiencies, increase margin growth and indeed market share in the Systems and Support space. As a Defence prime contractor of Ships, Systems and Support, continuing to provide our customers with a one stop shop integrated high tech solution across those three areas is very pleasing”.

In doing so, Austal has been contracted by the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago for the design, fabrication and installation of an Austal proprietary Ride Control System on an Austal designed and constructed 41metre Water-Taxi. Four of these Water Taxis are operated by Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and supported by Austal’s regional support centre in Trinidad.

This system will enhance passenger comfort and enable the vessel to open up new routes further contributing to Trinidad and Tobago’s national infrastructure. Design and fabrication will be completed at Austal’s Defence facility in Perth with installation led by Austal’s regional support centre in Q1 2015.

Austal delivered four 41metre Water-Taxis to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago National Infrastructure Development Company Limited (NIDCO) in 2010. Designed to carry 405 passengers at speeds of more than 37 knots, the vessels operate a water taxi service between San Fernando and Port of Spain.

Benjamin White, Austal’s Head of Americas based in Trinidad, said that “this project further highlights the integration of Austal’s local Trinidad workforce with Austal facilities in Australia. As a global prime contractor of Ships, Systems and Support, our regional support centre provides maintenance, repair and vessel modification / upgrade capabilities to both Austal and non-Austal delivered vessels in the America’s region. Our local team brings Austal’s expertise and global reach-back to customers across the region. Austal’s Class-certified capabilities are in high demand throughout the region by customers needing their vessels maintained and operational as quickly as possible.”

Austal has also secured an extended long term contract from Raytheon for the repair and maintenance of Submarine Emergency Radio Beacons (SERB) for the Royal Australian Navy Collins Class submarine fleet. With options, this work could run through to 2018. The work will be completed at Austal’s Defence facility in Perth.

Submarines Austal has been the chosen provider by Raytheon for SERB sustainment services since 2011. During this time Austal has demonstrated the ability to provide high quality, high tech reliable sustainment of safety and mission critical systems for the Collins Class submarine fleet

Raytheon Australia commented, “Leveraging Austal’s previous repair and maintenance experience with SERB’s and their close proximity to Raytheon’s Support Hub in Perth, this relationship will achieve a significant increase in SERB availability, serviceability and ease of supply chain operation while also achieving significant reductions in the cost of ownership to the Commonwealth”.

The ongoing success of the SERB sustainment program reflects Austal’s capability to provide hi tech and reliable sustainment services for Defence assets throughout the world.

Finally, Austal and Svitzer have extended their sustainment agreement which provides Svitzer with berthing and maintenance support in Western Australia. With options, this could see the continuation of Svitzer vessels at Austal’s Defence facility in Perth until 2018.

Austal has successfully provided berthing, repair and maintenance services to Svitzer’s vessels since January 2013. In addition to providing berthing services, Austal also provides vessel repair and maintenance services, naval architecture, electrical, mechanical, engineering and outfit services to commercial and defence operators.

Austal Australia’s Henderson Shipyard Production Manager, Richard Liley said, “These contracts demonstrate Austal’s global systems and support capability. It is very pleasing to grow and utilise our systems and support expertise to deliver to our customers locally and internationally through the broad reach of our global network”.