Austal commits $15M to PH operations

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Construction continues on Austal's Next Generation 102m trimaran

Austal, designer and builder of customized aluminum defense and commercial vessels, is infusing up to $3 million in its Philippine operations this year as it moves its manufacturing base from Australia to its shipyard in Cebu in the southern Philippines.

This will bring to about $15 million its committed investments in the Philippines, including the $7 million already sunk in on property and $5 million for preparation of the shipyard in Balamban, Cebu, previously owned by FBMA Marine.

The yard will cater to both local and export needs. It is targeted to handle 35% of the world’s high-speed craft requirements, according to Austal chief executive Andrew Bellamy.

“We are moving to the Philippines after economic power has shifted to Asia and the Philippines is at the center of it,” Bellamy said.

“There is great opportunity for the high-speed ferry industry worldwide and the Philippines has sets of assets that are available immediately.”

Austal is developing its Cebu shipyard in three phases. Phase 2 is now underway and involves infrastructure improvement such as reclamation and capacity expansion to build a 127-meter Trimaran vessel, Austal’s flagship product. Phase 2 also includes plans to increase manpower to 300 in 2013 from the current 150-200 workers.

Phase 3, on the other hand, involves large-scale mass production but this is on hold depending on market conditions.

Bellamy said Phase 3 will start only when the shipyard has reached an annual output of two units of the 127-meter Trimarans and two to four units of the 80-meter Catamaran craft.

At the moment, the Balamban yard is constructing a prototype of a 27-meter Trimaran vessel for a United Kingdom customer due for delivery next year.

Started in 1988, Austal is the global leader in the design and construction of customized high-quality aluminum defense and commercial ships for the international market. It currently controls 65% of the aluminum high-speed vessel market.

Previous clients have come from Greece, Istanbul and China. It also holds significant contracts to build vessels for the United States Navy and, recently, Australia’s Defense Fleet.

Apart from Balamban, Austal operates shipyards in Perth, Australia, and in Mobile, Alabama.

As of end-June, the company has delivered 248 vessels to international customers made up of ferry companies and defense establishments.

Image from www.austal.com

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