Page 39: of Marine News Magazine (December 2016)

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BOATBUILDING

MEET THE BUILDERS

In the immediate wake of the exciting NYEDC an- nouncement, Hornblower wasted little time in awarding two familiar Gulf Coast shipbuilders the contracts to build the new ? eet of ferries. Metal Shark of Franklin, LA and

Horizon Shipbuilding of Bayou La Batre, AL immediately got to work. Each has been awarded and undisclosed num- ber of hulls in the initial building phase, with options for more in the future. The two yards will construct identical

Incat Crowther designed, 26-meter, 149-passenger alumi- num high-speed ferries.

For its part, Hornblower didn’t put all their eggs into one basket, effectively splitting the risk between two yards both known for their ability to produce high quality series-build hulls, on time and on budget. Separately, Incat Crowther

Aerial view of Horizon Shipbuilding’s yard in Bayou La Batre, Ala. also immediately set about delivering production engineer-

The new ferries will be constructed in the West Yard, visible in ing to satisfy an aggressive build schedule at multiple ship- the upper right quadrant of the photo. yards, with at least a dozen boats scheduled to be delivered

Courtesy of Horizon Shipbuilding, Inc.

in 2017. Hornblower’s decision in this case sets up both a unique competitive process while at the same time fostering more.” Asked why Horizon was chosen for the contract, a collaborative atmosphere for one of the largest – and most he replied, “Quick turnaround. For example, we recently aggressive – multiple hull contracts seen in some time.

completed a job where we had to complete 40 crewboats

In October both yards were building the hulls totally in 20 months. So, we’ve been set up before to do multiple under cover and expanding local workspaces to make sure hull construction and they knew that we had the physical that remained the case. Horizon, which has expanded its fa- capacity to do it and the fact that our area is known to have cilities and production capabilities in recent years, will build skilled aluminum boat fabricators.” Horizon has already the ferries using an assembly-line type roll-out with the ? rst brought on 100 additional workers just for this project.

boat ready for delivery in the ? rst quarter of 2017. Travis

As for experience, Short has Horizon is up for just about

Short, President of Horizon Shipbuilding, told MarineNews anything industry could ask. “We’ve always tried to be as during an extensive tour of its Alabama production facilities, diverse as we can. We’ve done a lot of government vessels “We started building on the 6th of July. Our history has over the years and my ? rst aluminum boat, we built in been about 30-35 percent of our output is aluminum. So, 1992. And, we’ve competed in the foreign markets; we’ve we’re no stranger to the exacting needs of aluminum hulls.” done that in places like West Africa. And, I think the big-

Separately, Metal Shark’s newbuild program is also mov- gest reason we can compete overseas is that we build a good ing full steam ahead. One of the better known U.S. build- quality boat. Over time, we’ve delivered over 50 boats to ers in aluminum hulls, Metal Shark also knows how to foreign customers.” execute a series-build, high volume contract. In advance

Without a doubt, there is a lot riding on this contract. of the contract award, Metal Shark also won a MARAD That reality wasn’t lost on Short, who explained, “There’s a grant and will complete a 150’ x 80’ auxiliary structure for lot at stake; there’s a lot of good that come out of this proj- ? nal assembly, which was partially funded by the MARAD ect for a job well done. And, our history has always been, grant. A new 160-ton Marine Lift transporter arrives in ‘We’ve gotten the next project because of the last project.’

January and will signi? cantly facilitate the movement of It might six months apart or it could be six years later, but boats around the yard and to the water for launch.

you’ll get good projects because of a job well done on an- other project. And this project, it will take us to new ones.”

HORIZON SHIPBUILDING

And, Horizon has ridden out the storm that the last two

Horizon Shipbuilding President Travis Short declined to years have wrought, arguably as well anyone. Current proj- disclose the number of hulls that Horizon had been award- ects and contracts include a utility vessel for an undisclosed ed, instead saying, “We received the contract from Horn- East Coast client, Florida Marine Transport pushboats (an- blower in June 2016. There are several, with options for other series build project now on its 20th hull), multiple 39 www.marinelink.com MN

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