Shipyard
Austal USA has started construction on the future USCGC Ingham, its third U.S. Coast Guard Heritage-class Offshore Patrol Cutter, at its Mobile, Alabama shipyard. The cutter is being built under a contract with options for up to 11 vessels and a current potential value of $3.3 billion.
Austal USA has delivered LCU 1710 to the U.S. Navy, the first LCU 1700-class vessel handed over to the service. The Mobile, Alabama yard said it was also the first steel ship it has delivered to the Navy. Before delivery, the vessel completed acceptance trials and INSURV validated construction quality and mission readiness. Austal USA said the ship also demonstrated it could get underway without tugs or pilots and confirmed its limited crew operating capability.
Austal USA has received three 2025 safety awards from the Shipbuilders Council of America and American Equity Underwriters. The Mobile, Alabama yard said the recognitions bring its total number of safety-related awards to 32. It is among a select group of shipyards nationwide to be recognised by SCA in both safety categories.
Austal USA christened the future USNS Solomon Atkinson (T-ATS 12) at its Mobile, Alabama shipyard on 2 May. The vessel is the second of three T-ATS ships under construction at the yard and the second ship in the class launched from the facility.
Austal USA welcomed almost 50 high school students into its apprenticeship pipeline at a Signing Day event in Mobile, Alabama, on 1 May. The students, from Mobile and Baldwin counties, committed to start careers in shipbuilding through the yard’s workforce development program.