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Alabama Shipbuilder Christens Navy Ship Built With SSAB Americas Steel
04/03/2025 - Shipbuilder Austal USA has christened its first ship for the U.S. Navy using steel sourced from SSAB’s mill in Alabama.
The ship, the future USNS Billy Frank Jr., is a towing, salvage and rescue ship that will support fleet operations. Built at Austal USA’s yard in Mobile, Ala., it is one of three T-ATS vessels under construction there. Two more are under contract.
SSAB, which has a mill in Mobile, Ala., supplied plate for the ship.
Austal’s Mobile shipyard has been launching aluminum ships for the Navy for years. But in 2020, the yard began the process of diversifying into steel construction and contracted with SSAB to buy plate of various strengths and sizes.
“SSAB not only provides us with quality steel, but also great flexibility due to its location adjacent to us here in Mobile,” an Austal executive said at the time.
“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.”
SSAB, which has a mill in Mobile, Ala., supplied plate for the ship.
Austal’s Mobile shipyard has been launching aluminum ships for the Navy for years. But in 2020, the yard began the process of diversifying into steel construction and contracted with SSAB to buy plate of various strengths and sizes.
“SSAB not only provides us with quality steel, but also great flexibility due to its location adjacent to us here in Mobile,” an Austal executive said at the time.
“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.”
