Shipping and Logistics

SSAB and Austal Team Up on Plate for U.S. Navy Ships

Written by David Schollaert

December 3, 2021

SSAB Americas will supply the Mobile, Ala.-based shipbuilder Austal USA with steel for the construction of new U.S. Navy ships.

The supplier partnership with the Alabama-based steelmaker follows Austal’s award from the U.S. Navy to build steel-hulled Towing, Salvage, and Rescue ships (T-ATS). The Navajo-class ships will be built in new steel shipbuilding facilities that are expected to be operational in spring 2022.

“SSAB not only provides us with quality steel, but also great flexibility due to its location adjacent to us here in Mobile,” said Rusty Murdaugh, Austal USA’s president. “The ability to work quickly and in-person with them on current and future steel requirements by the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard is an asset to Austal that will support our business and economic growth in our community.”

According to Austal, the partnership with SSAB will directly support hundreds of jobs in the greater Mobile area. The company will source several “strength and sized steel plating” from the steelmaker.

“Austal USA is a respected and valued partner to SSAB Americas,” said Jeff Moskaluk, SSAB Americas’ senior VP and CCO.  “Our participation in such an important and vital project, that will strengthen both the economic and national security of our country, makes this partnership even more meaningful. We are proud to work closely with Austal USA and demonstrate the service, quality and value that is delivered from an interconnected and local supply chain here in Alabama.”

By David Schollaert, David@SteelMarketUpdate.com

David Schollaert

David Schollaert is a senior analyst for Steel Market Update. David joined SMU after more than a decade in the metals and mining industry in a myriad of different roles. Much of his early experience and expertise were within the coverage and analysis of steel-making raw materials and served previously as senior editor of the CRU Prices Service. Most recently, however, before his return to market analysis, David held roles as a metals buyer and an operations manager for raw material suppliers. Based in CRU’s Pittsburgh office, David can be reached at david@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-720-1008.

Read more from David Schollaert

Latest in Shipping and Logistics