Mobile shipbuilder Austal USA broke ground Tuesday on an additional final assembly line which includes a new shiplift system. Company officials expect the line to be in operation by summer 2026.
The newest facility — 192,000 square feet of covered workspace ‑ will enable assembly of U.S. Navy TAGOS-25 ocean surveillance ships, Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Vessels and large steel modules for other surface ships and submarines. The project builds on capabilities of the steel panel line that opened in 2022.
The shiplift system helps provide a safer launch system for new ships and allows them to be brought back to landside for renovation or repair.
“Austal USA is poised for significant growth, and this infrastructure expansion plan reflects that,” said Austal USA President Michelle Kruger. “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.”
Kiewit Infrastructure South Co. is lead for design and construction of the new line, while Pearlson & Pearlson Inc. is program manager and Pearlson Shiplift Corp. is designing and building the shiplift system.
