Shipbuilder Austal has successfully completed an export contract to Azerbaijan, delivering a 70-metre catamaran constructed at its Henderson yard, the same facility that will be building a series of vessels for the federal government in two naval contracts.
Work on the vessel, the Offshore Express 70, had begun in October of 2015.
Less than 12 months later, it was today handed over to Azerbaijani company Caspian Marine Services.
A second vessel will follow, with Austal having won a $44.5 million contract in June 2015 to build a sister vessel.
It comes less than six months after Austal was selected by the federal government to build 19 Pacific patrol boats for around $280 million, and about 10 offshore patrol vessels in a contract worth around $3 billion.
The latest vessel was designed by a third party, a trait it will share with the offshore class in the naval shipbuilding scheme.
Construction of vessels for the Royal Australian Navy can be expected to start in WA in 2020, about two years after building of the first vessel begins in South Australia.
Austal chairman John Rothwell highlighted the third-party design aspect of the Azerbaijani catamaran contract.
“This project successfully demonstrates Austal’s ability to successfully collaborate with our valued client and their designer to deliver a customised vessel, efficiently and cost effectively,” Mr Rothwell said.
“We are justifiably proud of our shipbuilding teams to deliver this impressive vessel in less than 12 months and congratulate Caspian Marine Services on their latest addition to the fleet.”
Shares in Austal fell 1 per cent today to $1.57 each at the close of trading.
