Austal USA, a Mobile, Alabama-based ship manufacturer, has opened a new ship repair facility near Naval Base San Diego, the company announced Feb. 13.
The facility is expected to offer “full-service repair, maintenance and modernization services for small surface combatants, unmanned and autonomous vessels, and auxiliary ships,” according to Austal, which is under contract for 13 military programs.
Opening the facility was more than a year in the making. Austal USA finalized a property agreement on the 15-acre site and then, according to the company, spent more than $100 million to make several upgrades, including 678 feet of improved shoreline in San Diego Bay, 80,000 square feet of covered workspace, new pier fenders and moorings, upgraded shore power conversions and security.
A new floating dry dock is expected to be in full operation by this summer, allowing the company more capability to handle “more extensive depot maintenance on Littoral Combat Ships, Frigates, and other similar sized surface combatants and auxiliaries,” Austal USA said.
“Getting our nation’s ships ready and out to sea is critically important,” Austal USA President Rusty Murdaugh said in a statement. “Our team responded to the need to increase capacity here in San Diego and we will similarly respond to the need to deliver ships safely from their availabilities on-time, on-budget, and warfighting ready.”
