The US branch of Australian shipbuilder Austal has delivered the 12th Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) ship, the future USNS Newport (EPF 12), to the US Navy.
The delivery of Newport from the company’s Mobile, Alabama, shipyard brings the total number of ships delivered to the navy by Austal USA to 24 in ten years, including three this year.
“Austal USA has now delivered 24 ships to the US Navy, in just over ten years, including three in this year alone,” Austal CEO David Singleton said.
“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 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. Newport completed the navy’s acceptance trials in early August.
One 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 start construction before the end of the year.
In addition to the EPF program, Austal USA is contracted to deliver 19 Independence-class Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) for the US Navy. Twelve Independence-class LCSs have been delivered, with an additional five ships in various stages of construction and two contracted but yet to start.
