Horizon Shipbuilding News

Australia's Birdon Group announced its U.S. subsidiary has reached a deal to acquire Metal Shark Boats' shipyard in Bayou La Batre, Ala.Birdon America said it will utilize the 32-acre facility for vessel repair work as well as newbuild activity, including construction of the U.S. Coast Guard's $1.187 billion 27-vessel Waterways Commerce Cutter (WCC) Program awarded to Birdon in 2022.Birdon Group CEO, Jamie Bruce, said, “The investment in this facility will not only ensure we deliver on our promise to the U.S.

The year just ended, 2021, might be described as being about “trying to get back to normal”, across the entire transportation spectrum, two years into the pandemic. During this time, the decarbonization and electrification waves have swept across maritime passenger transport. The passenger side of the business is dependent on multiple funding sources; increasingly, this money will be driven by environmental and social considerations.The long-awaited funding of “infrastructure”-related projects…

In any business, companies that achieve success must do at least one thing extraordinarily well. Shipbuilders like Metal Shark Boats are among companies that have taken their success to the next level by do a lot of things well. Government and commercial. Aluminum, steel and fiberglass. Serial and custom. Newbuild and repair. Sixteen to 300-plus feet. Patrol boats, pilot boats, fireboats, passenger ferries. Domestic and international. Metal Shark has thrived across the board.A…

This year, despite innumerable challenges and setbacks, a great number of new U.S.-flagged vessels made their way into service. In addition to Maid of the Mist's new electric tour boats James V. Glynn and Nikola Tesla featured Wednesday, the newbuilds highlighted below are some of the most noteworthy to come out of U.S. shipyards in 2020.DredgerU.S. dredging contractors have been adding tonnage in a big way. This Spring, Callan Marine added a significant piece to the U.S. fleet with its new Jones Act cutterhead suction dredge (CSD) General MacArthur.

With the delivery of Time Traveler, shipbuilder Metal Shark has completed its four-year run of vessel production for NYC Ferry, Operated by Hornblower, handing over the final new vessel to join the fleet.The newbuild is the 12th 85-foot, 150-passenger, USCG Subchapter “T” NYC Ferry passenger vessel built at Metal Shark’s Franklin, La. shipyard since deliveries to NYC Ferry began in April 2017. In that timeframe Metal Shark’s Franklin yard also produced 10 97-foot, 350-passenger…

Metal Shark has delivered an 88-foot, 150-passenger high speed aluminum catamaran for NYC Ferry operated by Hornblower.The Incat Crowther-designed HB122 is the 22nd vessel Metal Shark has built for NYC Ferry, and the 35th passenger vessel delivered from its Franklin, La. shipyard since April 2017.Metal Shark and Horizon Shipbuilding (which has since been taken over by Metal Shark) were selected to built the new fleet of NYC Ferry vessels in 2016.Halimar Shipyard, Breaux Brothers Enterprises and St John’s Shipbuilding are also building new ferries for the New York operator.

Metal Shark announced Monday its Bayou La Batre, Ala. shipyard has delivered its first newbuild, a 120’ x 35’ river towboat for Florida Marine Transporters, Inc. (FMT) of Mandeville, La.The four-decked, welded-steel, USCG Subchapter “M”-compliant towboat Stephanie Pasentine, which bears the distinction of being Louisiana-based Metal Shark’s first-ever steel newbuild and also its first inland towboat, was designed by John W. Gilbert Associates, Inc.The vessel’s twin Cat 3512C marine diesel engines deliver 2…

A naval architect and graduate of the Webb Institute, Co-Owner/CEO Chris Allard introduced the engineering-centric approach that has fueled Metal Shark’s growth; driving innovation and transforming the company from a regional builder to a globally recognized industry leader.Under Allard’s direction, Metal Shark has successfully captured over $500 million in government and military contracts while expanding into the commercial sector and becoming one of the largest suppliers of high speed ferries.Today…

Eastern Shipbuilding Group, Inc. has announced the delivery of the Escort/Rescue Z-Drive Tug Ava M. McAllister for McAllister Towing, Inc. on May 31, 2019. This Escort/Rescue Z-Drive Tug design is provided by Jensen Maritime Consultants and is issued a USCG Sub-M Certificate of Inspection (COI). The vessel arrived at Eastern in 2018.The Ava M. McAllister (ESG Hull #222) is from the same 100’ Z-drive tug design provided by Jensen Maritime Consultants of Seattle, WA as the Rosemary McAllister (ESG Hull #224) and the upcoming Capt. Jim McAllister(ESG Hull #223), tugs constructed at Eastern.

A naval architect and graduate of the Webb Institute, Co-Owner/CEO Chris Allard introduced the engineering-centric approach that has fueled Metal Shark’s growth; driving innovation and transforming the company from a regional builder to a globally recognized industry leader.A member of the ownership team since 2005, Mr. Allard has overseen the expansion of Metal Shark from several employees to over 350. Under Mr. Allard’s direction, Metal Shark has successfully captured over $500…

Eastern Shipbuilding Group has announced the launch of the Escort/Rescue ZDrive Tug CAPT. JIM McALLISTER for McAllister Towing on March 19, 2019.This Escort/Rescue Z-Drive Tug design provided by Jensen Maritime Consultants is currently under construction at Eastern’s Allanton facility. The vessel is scheduled to deliver later in 2019.Present at the launch was the Owners’ onsite representative, Jamie Thibodeaux of McAllister Towing with Eastern’s project manager Patrick D’Isernia. The CAPT.

Choosing the ‘top stories of 2018’ was, this year, a difficult task. Many compelling story threads played out, dramatically impacting the North American waterfront, and in particular, the workboat sector – each in their own unique way. Read on to find out how and why.Autonomous Vessels: Ready or Not, Here They ComeFuturistic, remote-controlled autonomous marine vehicles aren’t coming. They are here. As the pace of change quickens, autonomous vessels are already providing service and value on the water. Out ahead of the rulemaking process, autonomous technology providers already churn out not just prototypes and designs, but also countless workboats, many already in service.

Metal Shark announced it has secured a contract to build three 120’ x 35’ river towboats for Florida Marine Transporters, Inc. (FMT), signalling the U.S. shipbuilder’s entry into the towboat market.The four-decked, welded-steel, USCG Subchapter “M”-compliant towboats were designed by John W. Gilbert Associates, Inc. and will be powered by twin Cat 3512C Tier 3 marine diesel engines rated at 1,911 HP each. Construction is underway at Metal Shark Alabama, with deliveries commencing in 2019.With the FMT contract…

There's nothing like New York City for a maritime event, and McAllister Towing and Transportation Co., Inc., one of the historic family-run companies serving the industry for more than 150 years, held a signature ceremony and party last night at Pier 16 in Manhattan with the christening of two tugboats, the Rosemary McAllister and the Capt. Brian A. McAllister, both ABS classed FiFi 1 with propulsion systems meeting EPA Tier 4 emission regulations: 3516E Tier IV Caterpillar engines…

Louisiana-based shipbuilder Metal Shark said it has acquired the assets of Alabama-based Horizon Shipbuilding, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in October 2017.Metal Shark will assume ownership of Horizon’s fully developed 35-acre shipbuilding facility in the Mobile Bay region, following a motion approved by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court Southern District of Alabama on June 5, 2018.The Horizon facility, which features separate east and west yards both fronting a dredged deepwater inlet…

2018 has been a busy year thus far, says Gulf of Mexico shipyard Horizon Shipbuilding, Inc. The Alabama shipbuilder, which announced reorganization plans in September 2017 amid insufficient revenues, says it is presently working on a steady stream of both new construction and repair projects. “Our continued production testifies to Horizon’s unwavering commitment to our customers, vendors and friends,” said Lance C. Lemcool, Horizon’s vice president. The yard’s 2018 new construction projects have included delivery of an 88’ bunker boat and a 25’ truckable towboat.

Marine News showcases the best of North America’s 2017 workboat deliveries. There is something for everyone. Notwithstanding the lingering offshore energy downturn, there were plenty of bright spots for North American shipyards in 2017. If a hull was delivered in 2017, we took a look at it, with several areas as a focus for inclusion into this edition. For starters, it is always exciting when a domestic yard delivers a vessel – or multiple vessels, for that matter – to foreign buyers. We can compete in a foreign arena; on price, quality and on-time delivery. This year was no different. No less important is the environmental footprint of a vessel, and there was plenty to report on from that angle in the past 12 months. The domestic waterfront is indeed getting greener and cleaner.

Plucked from the headlines, the top stories of 2017 were compelling, and each provided impact to the domestic waterfront and in particular – the workboat sector. Follow along as Marine News recaps the highlights, drama and significant events that shaped the past 12 months. When Elaine Chao was sworn in to be the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, the Washington veteran brought a welcome burst of competence to the position. Her wide-ranging experience across the maritime sector and prior service at the U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration, and the Federal Maritime Commission uniquely positions her to understand the critical role that the waterfront plays in the intermodal equation. Soon after taking her chair, she was joined by another familiar face at Marad. Rear Adm.

Marine Jet Power, Inc. (MJP) and Horizon Shipbuilding, Inc. (Horizon) announced that they have signed an agreement for Horizon to become the newest sales and service provider in the Gulf of Mexico. The Master Sales and Service Agreement names Horizon as an authorized retailer and service provider for MJP’s water jets covering the coastal markets in the United States Gulf region. The new agreement greatly benefits ship owners as well as shipbuilders in the region. “Horizon is uniquely positioned to guide and support current and future water jet operators through the selection…

In operation for just three months, New York City’s new ferry service has already moved more than a million passengers. The new ferry service, NYC Ferry, commenced in May, serving Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn, with a Bronx connection scheduled for next year. Already, it is off to a great success with very high demand from riders. “We just broke one million rides on @ NYC Ferry….we’re changing the game for more New Yorkers,” New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted. The first two vessels were delivered only three months ago, and already it has expanded to 14 vessels with more on the way.

McAllister Towing announced the arrival in N.Y. of the tug Capt. Brian A. McAllister, the first EPA Tier IV tug on the U.S. East Coast according to the company. Capt. Brian A. McAllister is powered by 3516E Tier IV Caterpillar engines with twin Schottel SRP4000FP units. Packed into its 100 x 40 ft. hull is 6,770 hp and more than 80 metric tons of bollard pull. Combining that power with a Markey class III escort winch on the bow and a Markey 2.25-in. wire winch on the stern puts the the tug in a class of her own.

Horizon Shipbuilding announced it will reorganize amid revenues insufficient for maintaining normal operations. Lance C. “Last year, Travis R. Short, President of Horizon Shipbuilding saw an opportunity to repeat a great construction performance from 2012. Namely, an unheard of quantity of vessels in a very short period of time starting from ground zero. Hornblower (HNY Ferries) offered just this type of opportunity through its NYC Ferry project and Horizon has achieved what most believed couldn’t be done.

A new landing barge delivered to Sunset Key Transportation Corporation will provide access to the Sunset Key Resort located on a small island near Key West, Fla. Ordered to replace LCM8 boats purchased from the U.S. Government that are now at the end of their service life, the new barge was built be Horizon Shipbuilding, Inc., with detail design performed in-house by the yard’s engineering department based on a basic design from Shipwright, LLC. The barge is 60’ long with an 18’ molded beam. Horizon said it enlisted Gulf Coast Air and Hydraulics for the ramp hydraulic system.