Austal PH Opens Assembly Bay, Could Accommodate PH Patrol Ship Needs

Austal Philippines officially inaugurated their new and high-tech John Rothwell Assembly Bay in the West Cebu Industrial Park in Balamban Town on July 24, 2019

The assembly was named after John Rothwell the founder of Austal PH, a ship building company that manufactures high speed aluminum ships for customers from the Philippines and around the world.

Photo by Aljun Cainghog

The John Rothwell Assembly Bay is designed to accommodate large vessel projects for hull assembly, final outfitting, and painting capacity.

$20 million was invested for the John Rothwell Assembly Bay to further expand and accommodate more orders from the Philippines and also internationally.

Since 2012, Austal Philippines have delivered over 10 ships in 7 years from local and international customers.

John Rothwell founder of Austal PH believed that this expansion could help further improve not only Austal PH but also the lives of more than 900 highly skilled and highly motivated workers and Balamban town as well.

Inside the newly inaugurated John Rothwell Assembly Bay is the largest high speed catamaran for Fjord Line of Norway that is being made by Filipinos that is something not only the people of Balamban will be proud of but also the whole Philippines.

Photo by Aljun Cainghog

Secretary of Defense Major General Delfin Lorenzana who was the guest of honor for the official opening of the John Rothwell Assembly Bay said that if a contract will be signed, 6 OPV’s or patrol vessels will be made by Austal PH in Balamban.

The estimated cost for building the 6 OPV’s for the Philippines is P30 billion and Lorenzana expects the delivery within two years time.

“Thank you also for your trust and confidence in our Filipino workers,” Lorenzana added.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez who was also present in the event thanked Austal PH for investing in the Philippines that helped generate more jobs for the Filipinos and improve the economy in Balamban, Cebu.

Balamban town tagged as the Ship Building capital of the Philippines, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Balamban Mayor Alex Binghay is proud to say that the 17 ships that was delivered by Austal PH was proudly made by Filipinos, showcasing the craftsmanship of Filipinos around the world.

“The Philippines is one of the best fabrication countries in the world,” David Singleton, Chief Executive Officer of Austal PH said.

Singleton also said that Austal PH will partner with the Aboitiz Company to help them build steel ships.

This could help Austal focus more on designing the ships that would help in the increase of orders from the Philippines.

Austal PH and Aboitiz partnership could potentially help generate more jobs for Filipinos in the future.

Singleton added, although the shipbuilding industry is having a problem at the moment but the demand for high speed aluminum ships is still strong. (ASC)