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06/05/2026
Big congratulations to Austal Australia’s Mitchell Dick on being named WA's National Finalist for the Marine Industry Apprentice of the Year Award at the 2026 Australian Marine Industry Awards - presented by the Australian Marine Export Group (AIMEX).
As a National Finalist, Mitchell will be recognised on stage at the Awards' Gala Dinner on 19 May 2026, on the Gold Coast, where he’ll celebrate alongside marine industry leaders from across Australia.
The overall winner will be announced on the night and go on to represent Australia at Metstrade in Amsterdam (17–19 November 2026) — the world’s largest marine equipment trade show.
Mitchell completed his apprenticeship at Austal through South Metropolitan TAFE and qualified as a Fabrication Tradesperson in 2025. His strong technical expertise in welding and advanced structural fabrication, developed through practical, hands-on experience working on Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats for the Royal Australian Navy, saw him awarded Austal's Fabrication Department and Overall Apprentice of the Year in 2025.
We’re incredibly proud to see Mitchell’s hard work and dedication acknowledged at a national level and wish him all the best of luck for the awards - the entire Austal is behind you!
Learn more about the 2026 Australian Marine Industry Awards awards at https://www.aimex.asn.au/2026-australian-marine-industry-awards/
04/05/2026
Austal Ships Pty Ltd has secured a A$150.3 million contract extension to build two additional Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats (ECCPB's) for the Australian Border Force—bringing the total to six vessels under contract.
This milestone reflects continued confidence in the platform’s performance and Austal’s proven delivery capability, following the recent delivery of the tenth ECCPB to the Royal Australian Navy, under SEA1445-1 for Defence Australia.
With a record order book exceeding A$17.7 billion, Austal continues to play a key role in Australia’s sovereign shipbuilding industry—supporting national security, strengthening supply chains, and delivering critical maritime capability.
Construction will take place at Austal’s Henderson shipyard in Western Australia, supported by a strong national network of partners.
Learn more at https://www.austal.com/media-releases/austal-awarded-contract-two-additional-evolved-cape-class-patrol-boats-australian
Today, Austal teams in Australia came together for an all-hands meeting that included a celebration of the completion of the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project (SEA3036-1) - following the delivery of the 24th and final Guardian-class Patrol Boat (GCPB) to Defence Australia on 17th April 2026.
The vessel was gifted to the Republic of Maldives under the Australian Government's Defence Cooperation Program, at a handover ceremony held at HMAS Stirling, Western Australia on 19th April 2026.
Austal Limited Chief Executive Officer, Paddy Gregg said the milestone represents a proud achievement for the company, and Australia’s sovereign shipbuilding industry.
“The delivery of this final Guardian-class Patrol Boat marks the successful completion of the acquisition phase of the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project (SEA3036-1) by Austal, for the Commonwealth of Australia.
“Austal is proud to have constructed all 24 steel-hulled vessels from our Henderson shipyard, supporting local jobs and demonstrating Australia’s world-class naval shipbuilding capability.
“We are honoured to contribute to Australia’s long-standing partnerships with regional nations, including the Republic of the Maldives, and to support greater security and stability across the Indo-Pacific.
Designed and constructed by Austal in Henderson, Western Australia, the Guardian-class Patrol Boats form a key component of the Australian Government’s Pacific Maritime Security Program and Defence Cooperation Program, supporting regional partners to enhance maritime security, sovereignty and resilience.
The steel hull Guardian-class Patrol Boats are 39.5 metres in length, capable of speeds in excess of 20 knots, and designed for extended regional security operations in challenging maritime environments.
With all vessels now delivered, we remain committed to supporting the sustainment and ongoing capability of the Guardian-class fleet through our in-service support teams, programs and facilities located in Henderson, Cairns, Brisbane and Darwin.
Take a look back at Austal's first steel naval shipbuilding project, which has seen 24 patrol boats delivered to 13 nations in 10 years, in the video below or at https://youtu.be/re5o_DRFBmY
Spanning over two days, the recent launch of Dory 2 was a key milestone in the ship’s construction, and a moment when our Vietnam team saw their efforts realised; and our customer welcome their newest vessel to the water.
The successful launch was an especially exciting moment for our shipyard, as the first of class vessel demonstrates the shipyard's evolution as a multi-material shipbuilder, delivering both aluminium and increasingly complex steel vessels.
Watch the full video: 🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0QPS4txdTI&t=1s
26/03/2026
Calling all experienced fabricators and welders📣 We have a number of opportunities available to join our team at Henderson, Western Australia, where you will be contributing to the build of Australia's future defence fleet - seeing your work reflected in every vessel we deliver.
If you have strong technical skills and take pride in delivering high quality workmanship, submit your application today🔗https://bit.ly/4bxwf4G
Australia’s shipbuilding industry is growing and we're delivering advanced vessels for the Navy, Border Force and Army. Under the Strategic Shipbuilding Agreement, we are leading a new era of continuous naval shipbuilding in Western Australia, that will provide decades of work.
07/03/2026
At Austal, shipbuilding excellence is powered by teamwork, precision and an unwavering commitment to delivery.
Over the past four weeks, our mates at Austal USA have demonstrated what this looks like in action — advancing four major shipbuilding programs through a remarkable sequence of launches, sea trials and heavy-lift evolutions.
From the launch of future USNS Solomon Atkinson (T-ATS 12) and USNS Lansing (EPF 16), to the first-ever builder’s trials for LCU 1710, and the successful transit and er****on of two 3,000-ton super modules for the Auxiliary Floating Dry Dock Medium (AFDM) program, these achievements reflect outstanding coordination across engineering, production and test teams.
Milestones like these are the result of weeks of planning, technical expertise and the dedication of a highly skilled workforce working together to safely deliver capability to the fleet.
Congratulations to the Austal USA on an exceptional month of progress - learn more via the link below.
Innovative on Land. Exceptional at Sea.
Four Programs. Four Weeks. One Team.
In just four weeks, Austal USA achieved what would typically represent a full quarter of progress, advancing four shipbuilding programs through coordination, technical precision, and exceptional teamwork.
Last week, two ships were launched consecutively — future USNS Solomon Atkinson (T-ATS 12) on Feb. 23, and future USNS Lansing (EPF 16), the final Expeditionary Fast Transport in a 16-ship class, on Feb. 25. Teams also completed five sea trials for LCU 1710, including a complex beaching evolution, marking Austal USA’s first-ever LCU builder’s trials. Two massive “super module” transits and er****ons (approximately 3,000 tons each) were also performed for the Navy’s Auxiliary Floating Dry Dock Medium (AFDM).
These milestones required five land-to-barge transitions, seven carefully choreographed waterborne movements, and two 3,000-ton super module transits and er****ons, all executed safely while multiple programs advanced simultaneously.
More than a series of milestones, this period reflects weeks of around-the-clock planning and seamless ex*****on. From heavy-lift evolutions to sea trials, from launches to submarine module fabrication, the past four weeks have demonstrated what disciplined coordination and shared commitment can accomplish.
Four programs. One workforce. Mission delivered.
For more information: https://www.austalusa.com/press-releases/four-programs-four-weeks-one-team
