Austal has allocated its first shipbuilding project to its recently acquired shipyard in the Philippines. Construction of the vessel will commence in the first quarter of this year, and provide work through to November.
Austal acquired the shipyard in the West Cebu Industrial Park in Balamban, Cebu, in November last year as part of a strategy to regionalise its manufacturing base for commercial vessels. Austal is currently making significant investments to further enhance the shipyard's capabilities. Workforce growth is expected in line with market demand, and the site allows for efficient expansion of the facility when future operational and market conditions require.
The first contract being undertaken is the first of a new Austal wind farm support vessel design, which will enable safer and more efficient transfers of crew and equipment to offshore wind turbines. The vessel is being built for Turbine Transfers, an existing Austal customer and well-established operator in the growing European offshore wind farm industry.
The 27.4-metre-long, 10.5-metre-wide vessel will be operated by three crew and be able to transfer wind farm technicians as well as deck cargo, stores and miscellaneous equipment up to 75 nautical miles offshore. It will operate at 23 knots. The new vessel is designed to operate in ocean areas of all European countries, including the demanding conditions of the North, Irish and Baltic Seas.