JEANERETTE — Metal Shark, the locally-based shipbuilder, has won a new contract with its long-time customer, the U.S. Navy.

The Navy is replacing a fleet of patrol boats currently in use with the Navy Expeditionary Combad Command’s Coastal Riverine Forces. Over the next fifteen years, subject to annual appropriations, the Navy will replace between 100 and 160 boats with a larger and more modern platform. The first order has Metal Shark building up to 50 of the vessels, called PB(X), potentially exceeding $90 million in value, according to a statement from the company.

The winning design is a 40-foot, welded-aluminum pilothouse patrol boat powered by twin diesel inboard motors and water jets. It can reach 35+ knot sprint speeds and has ballistic protection. The boats will be built at Metal Shark’s Jeanerette production facility.

“PB(X) was one of the most challenging and most sought-after U.S. military boat procurement opportunities in recent history; the result of a years-long process pitting Metal Shark’s engineering and manufacturing capabilities against multiple leading U.S. naval architect firms and nearly all of our competitors,” said Metal Shark’s CEO Chris Allard. “The award of PB(X) to Metal Shark is the result of a tremendous team effort and I couldn’t be more proud of our people.”