Shelby: Austal Selected for Competitive Coast Guard Shipbuilding Contract

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) today released the following statement regarding the U.S. Coast Guard's announcement awarding Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama, a construction contract to build up to 11 medium-endurance Offshore Patrol Cutters for the Coast Guard.

"The Coast Guard's decision to select Austal USA to build its second round of Offshore Patrol Cutters highlights the world-class workforce and proven track record of the Mobile shipyard," said Senator Shelby. "This contract speaks to the reliability and strength of Austal employees along the Gulf Coast, as well as their ability to deliver. This is excellent news for the future of our Coast Guard and for shipbuilding in Alabama. I look forward to the positive impact that Austal and Mobile have on the security of our nation."

The shipbuilding award is in support of the Coast Guard's Offshore Patrol Cutter program, which will commission up to 25 Heritage class cutters over the next two decades. The contract with Austal includes $209 million in immediate obligated funding for the first ship and has a potential value of $3.3 billion for all 11 vessels.

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