Austal USA Begins Construction on First Offshore Patrol Cutter

Austal USA has reached a key milestone in the U.S. Coast Guard’s fleet modernization efforts with the keel laying of the first Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC). The ceremony, held at the company’s shipyard, signals the start of full construction on a vessel class expected to strengthen maritime security and operational capacity along America’s coastlines.

The OPC program aims to replace aging medium-endurance cutters that have served for decades. Once completed, the new class will provide enhanced endurance, improved seakeeping, and advanced command-and-control technology. These upgrades are designed to support a wide range of missions, including search and rescue, drug interdiction, and national security operations.

While the construction work is based outside Houston, the development is significant for Gulf Coast maritime industries and for shipping hubs like Houston’s port, where modernized Coast Guard assets support safer and more efficient waterways.

Why it matters

The OPC fleet will become a central operational element for the Coast Guard, replacing vessels that have been in service for more than half a century. With Houston’s extensive commercial shipping traffic, improvements in national coastal defense and maritime enforcement contribute to stronger regional security and economic stability.

What’s next

Austal USA will continue construction through the next several years as the first OPC moves toward sea trials and eventual commissioning. Additional vessels in the program are expected to follow as the Coast Guard expands its next-generation fleet.

This article is a summary of reporting by WorkBoat. Read the full story here.