Austal USA has conducted a ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of a final assembly station in Alabama.
The project supports the ongoing expansion of the company’s existing waterfront center in Mobile, which will also receive design improvements and a new ship lift system.
The upcoming station will include three bays for managing large steel components used to develop US Navy and Coast Guard vessels, such as the Offshore Patrol Cutters and TAGOS-25 ocean surveillance systems.
The facility is planned to accommodate module production for submarines and other surface ship programs in the future.
The area will complement other assets at the Mobile complex to ensure safe hull movements between land-side and sea launches during shipbuilding, repair, and sustainment services
Austal noted that the entire assembly building will encompass 4.5 acres (1.8 hectares), with approximately 192,000 square feet (17,837 square meters) of space being covered.
The hub is expected to be completed and undergo full operational capability by the summer of 2026.
“Austal USA is poised for significant growth, and this infrastructure expansion plan reflects that,” Austal USA President Michelle Kruger stated during the ceremony.
“Austal USA’s investment in this latest facility expansion project reflects our commitment to supporting the implementation of the National Defense Industrial Strategy and our commitment to investing in the Mobile region.”
Austal’s assembly hub launch follows the company’s partnership with Kiewit Infrastructure South Co. and Pearlson Shiplift in February to design and construct parts of its Mobile center.
This “major” effort will cover more than 1.5 million square feet (139,400 square meters) of area in the city.