Austal USA delivers 12th Expeditionary Fast Transport ship made from aluminium to US Navy

The US wing of Australia’s global ship-building firm Austal to deliver USNS Newport, the 12^th Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) ship and it brings up the total delivered number to 24 in ten years, including three in the current year to the US Navy by Austal USA.

David Singleton, CEO, Austal said: “The delivery of EPF 12 by Austal USA further strengthens the status of its Mobile, Alabama shipyard as an industry-leading facility.”

He also said: “Austal USA has now delivered 24 ships to the US Navy, in just over ten years, including three in this year alone. This is a remarkable achievement and testament to the productivity and efficiency of the shipyard, which is now expanding to enable the shipbuilding and support of steel vessels.”

“The ongoing, successful delivery of both the Spearhead-class EPF and Independence-class LCS shipbuilding programs has positioned the Austal USA shipyard to pursue new aluminium and steel shipbuilding opportunities in the future.”

The Spearhead-class EPF is a 103-metre high-speed aluminium catamaran with a large, 1800 square metre cargo deck, medium-lift helicopter deck and seating for 300+ embarked troops; providing a fast, high-payload transport capability to combatant commanders around the world.

The EPFs designed by Austal supports multiple missions, from maritime security operations to humanitarian aid and disaster relief. Furthermore, its flexibility also allows it to support potential future missions; such as special operations, command and control, and primary medical operations.

An additional Spearhead-class EPF is under construction at Austal USA’s shipyard; the future USNS Apalachicola (EPF 13), while the future USNS Cody (EPF 14) is scheduled to initiate construction before the end of 2020.

Besides to the EPF program, Austal USA is engaged to deliver 19 Independence-class Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) for the U.S. Navy. However, twelve Independence-class LCSs have been delivered, with an additional five ships in various stages of construction and two contracted but yet to start.

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