Aug 15 (Reuters) - Austal Ltd ASB.AX :
* AUSTAL RESPONDS TO MEDIA SPECULATION
* AUSTAL - NOTES SPECULATION THAT CO IS PART OF CONSORTIUM IN NEGOTIATIONS TO PURCHASE FORMER HANJIN HEAVY INDUSTRIES SHIPYARD IN PHILIPPINES
* HAS MADE MAJOR INVESTMENTS IN ITS AUSTRALASIAN SHIPYARDS, INCLUDING IN PHILIPPINES
* THERE IS NO CERTAINTY THAT ANY ADDITIONAL EXPANSION OPPORTUNITIES WILL BE EITHER PURSUED OR COMPLETED