The Austal Limited (ASX: ASB) share price is lifting this morning after the company announced a contract award.
This comes after news earlier this week of a different shipbuilding contract.
At the time of writing, the Austal share price is swapping hands for $2.34, up 1.30%.
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Details of the contract
In this morning's release, Austal revealed it has been awarded a US$44 million contract from the United States Navy.
The fixed-price deal will see Austal design and develop an autonomous capability on the future USNS Apalachicola, an expeditionary fast transport (EPF) vessel. The shipbuilder has delivered a total of 12 Spearhead-class EPF vessels for the United States Navy.
Austal CEO Paddy Gregg welcomed the contract, saying:
Austal noted in our half year results presentation that the funding for an autonomous EPF conversion contract had been appropriated in the USA Government 2021 Budget, so we are pleased that it has now been converted into a formal contract.
Winning a $44 million contract is welcome from a revenue perspective, but strategically this contract award is even more significant for Austal.
Autonomous vessel capability has been identified as an area of strategic importance by the US Navy, so it is promising for Austal that the US Navy has awarded Austal USA a contract for the design, procurement, production implementation and demonstration of autonomous capability of one of our vessels, the Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) 13, the future USNS Apalachicola.
About the Spearhead-class EPF program
The Spearhead-class EPF is a 103-metre high-speed aluminium catamaran. The vessel has an 1,800 square metre cargo deck, medium-lift helicopter deck and can hold more than 300 troops.
The primary function of the EPF is to provide rapid transit and deployment of military forces, and equipment and supplies. The ship can also be used for maritime security operations to deploy humanitarian aid and disaster relief.
Austal share price summary
Austal shares have continued to trend lower over the the last 12 months by more than 30%. The company's shares are around 15% up from their 52-week low of $1.98 seen in February.
Based on its share price, Austal ranks 326 on the ASX in terms of market capitalisation, valued at $836 million. The company has approximately 359.5 million shares on its registry.
