Alabama-based Austal USA has received approval from the San Diego Board Port of Commissioners to assume the lease of Marine Group Boat Works at the Port of San Diego.
Austal and Marine Group Boat Works entered a 45-day exclusive period in November to seal the agreement. Austal USA has said that it plans to use the 15-acre site to focus on ship repair for U.S. Navy, Military Sealift Command, and U.S. Coast Guard ships.
The site, immediately adjacent to U.S. Naval Base San Diego, will include a newly-built dry dock designed specifically to handle small surface combatants and other small-to-medium sized ships.
Marine Group Boat Works plans to focus on its yacht repair business at their shipyard in the San Diego suburb of Chula Vista.
“This investment marks a major milestone in Austal’s focus on growing our services business and anchors our commitment to servicing Navy, Military Sealift and Coast Guard ships,” Austal USA President Rusty Murdaugh said. “This facility expands our commitment to our customers.”
Austal has said that it plans to establish a full service ship repair capability providing maintenance and modernization for small surface combatants, autonomous vehicles, and other vessels.
Plans for the site include a dry dock optimized to execute availabilities on littoral combat ships and other small surface combatants; planned services include technical and material support, topside work and dry docking availabilities.