Australian builders of fast lightweight aluminium ships, particularly those from Western Australia, continue to expand their operations here and overseas as the lead articles report. This feature also looks at the current Australian Navy LHD project, a book recounting the Collins Class submarine story, the preservation of shipbuilding heritage at Sydney's Cockatoo Island and the current visit of MV Doulos, the world's oldest operating passenger ship. Australian shipbuilder Austal has come a long way since it was established 20 years ago in Perth. In July it celebrated the start of work on its Modular Manufacturing Facility (MMF) at its US operation in Mobile, Alabama. The MMF project when complete will include 65,000m~2 of manufacturing space, 7400m~2 of warehouse space and 5600m~2 of office space.
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