Austal shipyards and service centres in Australia have been approved to bid for and provide support services for US Navy and Military Sealift Command (MSC) ships.
Under the new Agreement of Boat Repair (ABR) Austal’s Australian operations may now bid to provide emergent repair services to deployed navy ships, including the Independence-class Littoral Combat Ships (LCS).
The ABR also allows Austal to bid for maintenance and repair of MSC ships deployed to the region, including the Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) vessels.
David Singleton, chief executive, Austal, said: ‘With this approval, Austal can provide a range of vessel repairs, maintenance and in-service support to US Navy and MSC ships operating throughout South East Asia.
‘As the designer and builder, no-one knows the Independence-class LCS or Spearhead-class EPF better than us, and we’re naturally very pleased and proud to now have the opportunity to provide local support for these vessels to the US Navy, as opportunities arise.’
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