19 July 2016 – Philippine Ambassador to Australia Minda Calaguian-Cruz visited the headquarters of Austal in Henderson on July 07 as part of her first Official Visit to Western Australia on July 04 to 08. Ambassador Calaguian-Cruz was welcomed by Austal CEO Mr. David Singleton joined by Marketing Manager Mr. Paul Sparke and Vice President for Sales and Marketing Mr. Ben Marland.

Austal is a global shipbuilder, defence prime contractor and maritime technology partner with shipyards in Australia, USA and the Philippines. Austal’s shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia employs a number of Filipino workers who were described by Austal as exceptionally skillful and hardworking.

The Ambassador and her delegation were toured the Austal Australia shipyard and went on-board a 72-m High Speed Support Vessel (HSSV), a multi-mission capable ship which can be operated for military or humanitarian and disaster relief missions. The Ambassador also inspected the Austal Large Crew Transfer Vessel, a 70m offshore crew boat which was constructed jointly by the Austal Philippines and Austal Australia, a testament to the seamless collaboration between Austal headquarters and their shipyard in Balamban, Cebu.

Mr. Singleton said that operations in the Austal shipyard in Balamban, Cebu in the Philippines have been highly successful. Austal had opened their newest shipbuilding and support facilities in Cebu in January 2013 which has now become a center for Austal’s commercial ship building operations.

The Ambassador expressed appreciation for Austal’s continued confidence in the Philippines as a prime investment location. The Ambassador’s visit to Austal concluded her Official Visit to Western Australia which focused on expanding the Philippines’ economic diplomacy program. END