USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) rolls out of Austal USA's facility, February 25, 2015. Photo: Austal USA
Australian shipbuilder Austal has announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Harland & Wolff Group to pursue shipbuilding opportunities in the United Kingdom.
The MOU, signed during the 2023 Indo Pacific Maritime Exposition in Sydney, aims to facilitate the transfer of technology, skills, and shipyard capabilities required for the construction of next-generation patrol vessels for UK maritime security agencies.
The strategic partnership between Austal Australia and Harland & Wolff Group will focus on exploring opportunities in the UK market, including the Border Force vessel replacement program. The non-exclusive partnership aims to leverage each parties’ strengths and expertise in order to secure contracts in the UK.
Austal Limited CEO Paddy Gregg said the MOU marks the first step towards winning new business in the UK. “Harland & Wolff is an ideal partner for Austal in the pursuit of defense opportunities in the United Kingdom with the facilities, expertise and capabilities to effectively pursue and help deliver new vessels for organizations such as the UK Border Force,” said Gregg.
John Wood, Group CEO of Harland & Wolff, highlighted Austal’s global leadership in the aluminum vessel market.
“As we embark on the next phase of the Company’s growth and development, we will be partnering with Austal not only for the transfer of technology to build aluminium vessels but to also join hands with them when bidding for contracts,” said Wood. “Austal’s skills and decades of experience in the aluminium build space and border security vessels are second to none. I look forward to working closely with them to build the next generation shipyard capability for aluminium vessels in the UK.”
It is worth noting that Austal’s subsidiary, Austal USA, is a prominent shipbuilding contractor for the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard, further reinforcing Austal’s reputation and expertise in the defense shipbuilding industry.
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