Since June 2015, Austal Australia has delivered two 72 metre high speed support vessels (HSSV’s) for the Royal Navy of Oman, one 70 metre offshore large crew transfer vessel for Caspian Marine Services of Azerbaijan and two 58 metre Cape class patrol boats for the Australian Border Force from the company’s Henderson, WA shipyard.

Austal chief executive David Singleton said the Ministers’ recent announcement was a well-deserved acknowledgement of Austal Australia’s continuing export success and international competitiveness, as the company prepares to bid for the Commonwealth of Australia’s offshore patrol vessel program.

“Over 75% of Austal’s global production is for export markets and our Australian shipyard continues to generate valuable new business that is creating jobs, developing skills and growing Australia’s sovereign shipbuilding capability,” Singleton remarked.

The news comes as the second HSSV designed and constructed by Austal Australia, the RNOV Al Naasir (S12) continues its journey to Oman and new video footage of the first HSSV, the RNOV Al Mubshir (S11), arriving in Oman earlier in 2016, is posted onto Austal’s YouTube channel.

The award winners will be announced at an Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner, hosted by the Export Council of Australia, at Crown Perth on Friday, 28 October 2016.