Our success is part of a much longer story.
Our History
SEACOR is a dynamic business. Through the foresight of our leadership team and the dedication of talented people, we have been able to focus our business and expand its presence.
What began as an opportune investment in undervalued maritime assets, grew quickly, through consolidation and subsequently by diversification. We developed many interests and over time became a large scale investor and substantial operator in US domestic and international transportation and logistics services.
Over the course of thirty years, we’ve acquired companies with much longer histories than our own, as well as forward thinking and innovative start-ups. Both bring additional expertise, experience and ideas that continue to drive SEACOR.
1989 - 1999
From 1989 to 1999, SEACOR embarks on consolidation, niche diversification, and globalization of the offshore energy service business. In addition, SEACOR builds an environmental emergency and crisis service business.
1989
SEACOR, co-founded by Charles Fabrikant, begins with the buy-out of NICOR Marine, an operator of supply vessels supporting the oil and gas industry in the Gulf of Mexico.
1991
SEACOR launches the National Response Corporation, an environmental emergency response business.
1992
SEACOR goes public in an IPO, listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol CKOR, which later changes to CKH.
1993-1997
SEACOR enters the emergency management business and acquires ERST/O’Brien’s, a training and consulting firm for emergency preparedness in 1997.
We consolidate the offshore marine industry, making eight acquisitions with vessels operating in the North Sea, West Africa and the Gulf of Mexico regions.
We also enter into the Chiles investment, formed to build and operate offshore drilling rigs in 1997.
1998-1999
SEACOR enters into a joint venture to build international dry bulk ships.
We focus on niche diversification by selling secondhand offshore marine vessels and building next generation equipment to support exploration in deeper waters.
2000 - 2005
From 2000-2005, SEACOR continues the consolidation and international growth of its offshore energy service business. It also embarks on asset diversification with broader service offerings
2000
SEACOR enters the bulk transportation services business in the U.S. inland waterways with the acquisition of dry-cargo barges and SCF Corporation, a barge operator founded by Charles Fabrikant in 1980.
2002
SEACOR enters the aviation market with the acquisition of Tex-Air, a helicopter operator supporting offshore oil and gas industry.
SEACOR exits the offshore drilling rig sector.
2004
SEACOR expands its helicopter operations with the acquisition of ERA Aviation.
2005
SEACOR enters into ocean transportation services and port services with the acquisition of Seabulk International Inc. (“Seabulk”).
We acquire Seabulk for $1 billion, making SEACOR the largest offshore service vessel company. The deal also includes substantial businesses involved in petroleum transportation and harbor and offshore towing services.
2006 - 2015
From 2006-2015, SEACOR continues to build on diversification and opportunism.
2006 - 2012
Emergency Management Diversification & Opportunism
We grow the environmental business with nine acquisitions from 2006 to 2010.
Ultimately, SEACOR exits the environmental clean-up, oil spill response business, by selling National Response Corporation and its affiliates in 2012.In 2012, SEACOR completes the merger of O’Brien’s Response Management with Witt Associates to create the joint venture, Witt O’Brien’s, which focuses on corporate and public crisis management and resilience.
2006-2012
SCF Business Expansion & New Markets
SCF expands its port and infrastructure services by investing in terminal operations and fleeting operations, investing in international barge businesses and acquiring a liquid barge transportation business.
2006-2012
New Business & Markets / Diversification & Opportunism
During the next six years, SEACOR enters into several new businesses:
- General aviation market with investments in Avion Pacific and Hawker Pacific
- Manufacturing business with an investment in Illinois Corn Processing, a manufacturer of industrial alcohol
- Commodity trading business
We exit the international dry bulk shipping market in 2006.
SEACOR invests in or acquires four offshore marine companies in niche markets, including an operator of wind farm utility vessels.
2011-2012
Caribbean Logistics Opportunities
SEACOR acquires an integrated cargo transportation and logistics business primarily serving the Bahamas with the purchase of G&G, branded as Island Lines.
Through bankruptcy proceedings we become a partner of Trailer Bridge, a Caribbean logistics business.
2013
SEACOR embarks on clean energy solutions with the formation of CLEANCOR, a joint venture that invests in clean-fuel technologies, infrastructure and enterprises.
SEACOR completes the spin-off of ERA Group (NYSE: ERA), our international helicopter business.
2014-2015
After nearly two years following the merger of O’Brien’s and Witt, SEACOR buys out our private equity partner and Witt O’Brien’s becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of SEACOR. This occurs 17 years after we originally acquire O’Brien’s.
SEACOR exits the U.S. domestic inland tank barge business.
2016 - Present Day
Since 2016, SEACOR embarks on the next chapter with a focus on transportation and logistics services.
2017
SEACOR completes the reorganization, and acquisition of, International Shipholding Corporation, presaging the relaunch of the historic Waterman Steamship brand. The deal also includes United Ocean Services, which provides dry bulk ocean transportation domestically, and an interest in the rail ferry business, which is part of CG Railway, our joint venture with Genesee & Wyoming Inc.
We complete the spin-off of SEACOR Marine Holdings Inc. (NYSE: SMHI), our offshore marine support vessel business, an energy service company.
We also sell our investment in Illinois Corn Processing, an industrial alcohol manufacturer.
2018
CLEANCOR becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of SEACOR.
SEACOR sells its position in Hawker Pacific, an aviation sales and support organization and distributor of aviation components.
2021
In a go-private transaction, SEACOR becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of private equity firm, American Industrial Partners, and is delisted from the NYSE.
