Austal USA on Friday announced that it has completed the purchase of waterfront land, buildings and an existing dry dock along the Mobile River.

The purchased property and facilities were previously owned by World Marine of Alabama, an indirect subsidiary of Modern American Recycling and Repair Services of Alabama (M.A.R.R.S.).

In a release, Austal said this move enhances the company’s new construction and service business lines.

“As we’ve consistently done over the course of our history, we’re adding capability to meet the growing demand from our customers,” stated Austal USA president Craig Perciavalle.

“Our business remains focused on continuing to manufacture highly capable and cost effective ships while providing world-class global services and support to our customers,” he added.

The purchase reportedly includes the 20,000 ton ‘Pete B’ Panamax-class floating dry dock, 100,000 square feet of covered repair facilities and 15 acres of waterfront property along the Mobile River and Gulf of Mexico. This places Austal adjacent to M.A.R.R.S. and is intended to enable better collaboration with the company on its core recycling efforts.

Austal USA last week delivered its 22nd total vessel to the U.S. Navy in the past seven years. The company continues to build littoral combat ships and expeditionary fast transports in Mobile under contract with the Navy.

Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn