Austal Launches 70 metre Offshore Crew Transfer Vessel

Austal Limited (ASX:ASB) is pleased to announce that Austal Australia has successfully launched Hull 392, a 70 metre offshore crew transfer vessel for Caspian Marine Services Limited (CMS) of Azerbaijan, at the company’s Henderson shipyard in Western Australia.

Following the contract award in June 2015, construction commenced in October 2015. In parallel with the forward hull module fabricated at Austal Philippines in Balamban, Cebu, the stern hull module and superstructure were constructed at Austal Australia. In March 2016 the forward hull was transported to Henderson where the superstructure and stern were connected. Footage of the assembly may be viewed on Austal’s Youtube Channel here.

Austal Large Crew Transfer 70 (Hull 392) launching at Austal’s Henderson Western Australia shipyard.

The 30 knot, 150 passenger catamaran features a 400sqm cargo deck and is configured to allow ‘walk to work’ crew transfers between vessel and offshore installations, via an Ampelmann platform.

At the vessel launch, Austal Chief Executive Officer David Singleton remarked “The on-time launch of this impressive ship further demonstrates Austal’s proven, export - competitive shipbuilding capabilities in to international markets and the successful integration of a global supply chain across our Philippines and Australian operations”.

Based on a design by Incat Crowther, the Austal Large Crew Transfer 70 - named Rashid Behbudov - is on schedule for delivery to CMS in the third quarter of 2016, following final fit-out and completion of sea trials.

Austal Large Crew Transfer 70 (Hull 392) maneuvering alongside at Austal Australia (with Royal Navy of Oman’s High Speed Support Vessel AL NAASIR (S12) and the Australian Border Force’s Cape Wessell patrol boat in the background).

-ENDS-

About Austal

Austal is a global defence prime contractor and a designer and manufacturer of defence and commercial ships. For more than 27 years Austal has been a leader in the design, construction and maintenance of revolutionary ships for governments, navies and ferry operators around the world. More than 255 vessels have been delivered in that time.

Ships

Defence vessels designed and built by Austal include multi-mission combatants, such as the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) for the United States Navy and military high speed vessels for transport and humanitarian relief, such as the Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) ships for the

U.S. Navy and High Speed Support Vessel (HSSV) for the Royal Navy of Oman. Austal also designs, constructs, integrates and maintains an extensive range of patrol and auxiliary vessels for government agencies globally, including the Cape Class Patrol Boat Program for Australian Border Force. Defence vessels are designed and constructed in Mobile, Alabama and in Henderson, Western Australia.

Austal has been at the forefront of the high speed ferry market since the early days of the industry. Our market leading designs of high performance aluminium vessels have long been at the heart of Austal’s research and development. Today, commercial ship construction is centred on our shipyard in Balamban, Philippines.

Systems

Austal has expertise in integrating complex systems into its ships, including ride control, ship management, and communication, sensors and weapon systems.

Support

Austal provides a wide range of support services, including through life support, integrated logistics support, vessel sustainment and systems support. These services are delivered through our global support network in the USA, Australia, Asia, and the Middle East together with partner shipyards worldwide.