Metal Shark completes acquisition of Horizon Shipbuilding

Louisiana-based shipbuilder Metal Shark has acquired the assets of Alabama-based Horizon Shipbuilding following a motion approved by the US Bankruptcy Court Southern District of Alabama on June 5.

With the acquisition, the military craft builder assumes ownership of a fully developed 35-acre shipbuilding facility in the Mobile Bay region, with separate east and west yards both fronting a dredged deepwater inlet.

According to the company, the facility boasts a total of nine assembly buildings; a 660-ton Travelift; multiple cranes, CNC plasma cutters, welders, and other fixtures supporting the construction of steel and aluminum vessels up to 300’ in length and 1,500 tons launch weight.

With its new facility, Metal Shark plans to be active in the design and construction of custom steel vessels for multiple markets, as well as the refit, repair, and conversion of existing vessels.

“We are thrilled to acquire the assets of Horizon, which will greatly increase our shipbuilding capability and capacity,” said Metal Shark’s CEO Chris Allard.

“As we add steel vessels to our already broad range of aluminum craft, we will offer everything from a sixteen-foot aluminum skiff to steel vessels up to 300’, and virtually everything in between, making the diversity of Metal Shark’s portfolio truly unmatched in the industry,” Allard said. “Additionally, our Alabama yard’s complete refit and repair services will appeal to customers throughout the Gulf, and also those in the South Florida and Caribbean yachting community. These clients will benefit from an accessible and modern facility with some of the most competitive labor rates in the nation.”

Since filing for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11 in October of 2017, Horizon has continued to operate under the direction of company CEO Travis R. Short. With the acquisition, Mr. Short will join Metal Shark, where he will serve as Executive Vice President.

“Over his past 20-plus years with Horizon, Travis has done an outstanding job of building and maintaining relationships with customers across multiple sectors,” said Mr. Allard. “He is well-liked and respected; he brings great shipbuilding knowledge and insight, and we’re happy to welcome him to Metal Shark.”

“After a long run at Horizon, I am pleased to enter this next phase by joining this team and by bringing our Alabama yard into the Metal Shark family,” said Travis Short. “We are excited to add the technology, engineering, and processes that have set Metal Shark apart in the industry.”

The acquisition of Horizon is the latest in a series of expansion moves by Metal Shark. In 2014 the company opened the Franklin, Louisiana shipyard, which currently produces aluminum vessels up to 200’ in length including passenger vessels and larger military craft.