Above: Australian shipbuilder Austal launched the USNS Brunswick in May from its base of U.S. operations, Austal USA, in Mobile. (contributed/Austal)

Austal USA’s plans to continue outfitting the U.S. Navy’s 21st-century fleet from its Mobile shipyard crystallized Thursday with the announcement of a $53.4 million preliminary materials contract, setting the stage for construction of its 11th high-speed vessel.

“We are excited that the Navy is building on the momentum and the maturity of the original contract and extending it beyond the first 10 ships,” Austal USA President Craig Perciavalle said.

The contract allows Austal USA to procure long-lead time materials such as main propulsion engines, generators, water jets and main reduction gears for the next Mobile-built expeditionary fast transport, or EPF, known formerly as the joint high speed vessel.

“We look forward to building on Austal’s relationship with the U.S. Navy by continuing to provide quality, value and capability in our ships,” Perciavalle said.

Andrew Bellamy, the Australian shipbuilder’s chief executive officer, called the contract “timely” in a prepared statement.

“We can now anticipate finalization of a shipbuilding contract for EPF 11 in the coming months,” Bellamy said, noting incurred costs will be reimbursed but “no profit will be recognized prior to execution of the shipbuilding contract.”

Pictured above are three Austal-built expeditionary fast transport (EFT) ships, known formerly as joint high speed vessels, for the U.S. Navy. (contributed/Austal)

The new ship is in addition to a $1.6 billion, 10-ship U.S. Navy contract awarded to Austal USA in 2008. To date, five Austal USA-built EPFs – the USNS Spearhead, Choctaw County, Fall River, Millinocket and Trenton – are servicing the U.S. Navy through global deployments. Meanwhile, the USNS Brunswick will be delivered to the Navy before the close of 2015; a keel-laying ceremony for the future USNS Carson City was held July 31; the future USNS Yuma is under construction; and construction has not yet begun on the remaining two ships in the initial 10-ship block.

The 338-foot-long aluminum catamarans are designed to be fast and flexible carriers of troops, equipment and humanitarian relief.

“Due to the level of maturity this program has reached and the efficiency of our material procurement to date, we have earned the Navy’s confidence to make this award,” Perciavalle said. “This is a testament to the hard work of Austal’s awesome employees building incredible ships.”

With more than 4,000 employees, the shipbuilder is the city of Mobile’s largest private employer.

Austal USA is also fulfilling a separate $3.5 billion contract with the U.S. Navy alongside General Dynamics Mission Systems for 10 aluminum-hulled, Independence-class littoral combat ships. To date, three Austal USA-built LCS variants have been delivered, while an additional six are in various stages of construction.

The crowded vessel pipeline has prompted Austal USA to petition the city of Mobile for temporary use of the unoccupied Alabama Cruise Terminal to dock the ships – one at a time – for testing and maintenance.

George Talbot, spokesman for Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson, said the proposed seven-month lease – with two additional one-month renewals – addresses a short-lived “parking problem” while Austal USA completes construction of pier space on the Mobile River’s west bank slated for completion in May 2016.

“The short-term lease is a win-win for Austal and the city of Mobile. It will provide Austal with needed pier space for (the USNS Brunswick) and the city with improvements that enhance the cruise terminal going forward,” Talbot said.

Per the proposed contract, expected for consideration by the Mobile City Council Nov. 3, Austal USA will pay for security and utilities during its use of the facility and – in lieu of rent – invest no more than $200,000 in improvements.

Talbot said, if approved, Austal USA’s request will “in no way” impact preparations for the November 2016 arrival of the Carnival Fantasy or any operations inside the terminal.

Miami-based Carnival Cruise Line announced plans in September to resume four- and five-day cruises from Mobile to Mexico on Nov. 6, following a four-year hiatus from the Port City.

Earlier this month, Mayor Stimpson requested the U.S. Navy name one of of the Austal ships the USS Mobile in honor of where they are built.