Corporate

Our Story

With a vision to build high quality commercial vessels for the international market, Austal commenced operations in Perth, Western Australia in 1988. Today, Austal is a global shipbuilder and defence prime contractor. A recognized world leader in the design and construction of customised commercial and defence vessels, Austal proudly lists many of the world’s leading ferry operators, navies and defence forces as valued clients.

From safe, modern shipyards located in Western Australia, the United States of America, Vietnam and the Philippines, Austal has delivered and continues to construct more than 300 vessels for 100 operators in 54 countries around the world. Austal’s extensive product range includes passenger and vehicle-passenger ferries, patrol boats, high speed support vessels, surface combatants and revolutionary, multi-role vessels. Austal is an established provider of worldwide vessel maintenance and management services. Austal also designs, installs, integrates and maintains sophisticated vessel command and control systems, communications and radar systems and information management systems, such as MARINELINK and Motion Control.

Since listing on the Australian Stock Exchange in December 1998, Austal has diversified and strengthened its product base through the strategic acquisition of a number of shipbuilding and information technology companies. With a genuine focus on research and development of emerging maritime technologies and cutting edge ship designs, Austal has led the industry in the development of innovative commercial and defence vessel platforms.

Austal’s USA shipyard was established in late 1999, and is now one of the largest employers in Mobile, Alabama, serving as the centre of manufacturing for the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) and Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) programs for the US Navy.

In 2011, Austal acquired a major commercial shipbuilding facility at Balamban on the Island of Cebu in the Philippines to construct high speed passenger, vehicle-passenger ferries, offshore crew transfer and windfarm vessels for growing South East Asia markets and beyond.

In addition to shipbuilding operations, Austal also provides vessel maintenance and support services from facilities in the United States, Australia and the Middle East, along with a network of partner service providers located throughout the world.

Austal’s clients benefit from more than 30 years experience and expertise in shipbuilding, including:

  • In-house design management, offering customisation and flexibility;
  • High quality, technologically advanced, market proven products;
  • Industry leading project management and quality assured production processes;
  • Unrivalled focus on meeting agreed customer requirements and deliverables;
  • Productive, skilled and stable workforce;
  • Commitment to on-time and on-budget delivery;
  • Financial strength and sound corporate management; and
  • Competitive, value for money pricing.