Port of Brownsville · 2026
A proven legacy returns to Brownsville.
Shah Terminals LLC is proposing a world-class metals terminal at the Port of Brownsville — bringing $20–50M in capital, 100+ direct jobs, and a track record built right here at this port.
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Port of Brownsville · Brownsville, TX 78521
The Shah Family Legacy
They've done this before — at this port.
The Shah family acquired a distressed, bankrupt metal processing facility at the Port of Brownsville, rebuilt it from zero, and grew it into one of the Gulf Coast's most decorated ship recycling and metals operations. That enterprise was sold as a thriving going concern. The Shahs remained with the company through 2020, ensuring a seamless transition and lasting community benefit.
Shah Family — Port of Brownsville Operations LogREF: 2003–2020
2003
Acquisition of distressed port facility
Shah Family Office acquires a bankrupt, idle metal processing and ship recycling facility. Workforce: zero. Infrastructure: deteriorating. The Shah family invests substantially to rebuild from the ground up, prioritizing local Brownsville contractors.
2003–11
All Star Metals — ramp to peak operations
Workforce grows rapidly across ship recycling, metal processing, and shredding. Facility becomes one of Cameron County's largest private employers. 500+ direct employees at peak; est. 2,500+ indirect jobs supported across the regional economy.
Peak Ops
2012
AMM Best Mergers & Acquisitions — SMS acquires All Star Metals
Scrap Metal Services (SMS) acquires Bedoli Group, All Star Metals, and All Star Shredding. Recognized by American Metal Market with the Best Mergers & Acquisitions award, the 2013 Platts Global Metal Awards Best Financial Deal of the Year, and again in 2014.
AMM Award
2013
AMM Ferrous Exporter of the Year
American Metal Market national industry award — recognizing All Star Metals as a leading ferrous exporter on the Gulf Coast under continued Shah family leadership.
AMM Award
2013–15
USS Forrestal — America's first supercarrier
Contract awarded Oct. 2013. Arrived Brownsville Feb. 2014; recycling completed Dec. 2015. The largest and most historically significant naval recycling project in modern U.S. history — the Navy's first completed supercarrier, commissioned 1955, dismantled by All Star Metals.
Historic
2014
AMM Scrap Company of the Year
American Metal Market national industry award — cementing All Star Metals as a recognized national leader in the scrap recycling sector.
AMM Award
2020
Shah family transition complete
Nikhil and Nirav Shah conclude their operational roles after eight years of post-acquisition leadership. The facility continues operating today as a premier Gulf Coast ship recycling center.
Legacy
The Opportunity
A strategic port site, ready for a committed operator.
Shah Terminals will develop a multi-modal metals terminal at the Port of Brownsville built for two-way commodity flow — scrap outbound, semi-finished product inbound — with ship channel access, rail infrastructure, and road connectivity from day one.
The Site
Barge, rail & road access on the Port of Brownsville ship channel
Existing warehouse, barge loading area, rail storage, dock infrastructure, and office facilities.
The Operations
Multi-modal transloading, stevedoring & warehousing
Metals, steel products, and aggregate moving via vessel, railcar, and truck — maximizing asset utilization.
The Capital
$20–50M in leasehold improvements & equipment
Site prep, rail upgrades, warehouse construction, heavy equipment, dock enhancements — investment begins on lease transfer.
The Lease
20-year initial term, four 5-year renewal options
Stable, long-term port revenue with willingness to expand leasehold as operations grow.
Commercial Commitments
Three anchor relationships, ready on day one.
Shah Terminals has secured foundational commitments from three commercial partners — subject to final agreement — prepared to commence operations immediately upon lease transfer.
01
Warehousing — Largest U.S. Recycled Aluminum Can Buyer
High-volume aluminum can recycling driving immediate rail and truck activity through the facility from day one.
Committed
02
Transloading — Steel Mill
Receipt and transfer of ferrous scrap, pig iron, and feedstocks. Shah's Capesize vessel ownership enables competitive freight rates.
Committed
03
Transloading — Aggregate Company
South Texas aggregate demand driven by residential development, highway infrastructure, and major industrial construction in Cameron County.
Committed
The Principals
Nikhil & Nirav Shah — Co-Partners, Shah Terminals LLC
The Shah brothers are not new to this port, this community, or this industry. They have operated here for decades and are personally invested in Brownsville's future.
Nikhil Shah
Co-Principal · Founder, All Star Metals
Founded All Star Metals in 2003 and built it into a Gulf Coast leader in ship recycling and ferrous metals. Led the recycling of hundreds of maritime vessels, including the USS Forrestal — America's first supercarrier. Former CEO of Energy Alloys, a global specialty metals company operating across six countries. Former Chairman, Brownsville Public Utilities Board Special Committee. Member, Port of Brownsville Master Planning Committee.
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Nirav Shah
Co-Principal · Former VP, All Star Metals
Joined All Star Metals in 2010 as VP, growing the industrial and dealer trading book and overseeing non-ferrous scrap sales. Managed and operated the largest auto shredder on the U.S.–Mexico border. Served as Facility Security Officer for ASM's NAVSEA contract, overseeing security compliance for naval vessel recycling operations. Deep expertise in ferrous and non-ferrous grading, logistics, and global buyer relationships. Former Board Director and Treasurer, Brownsville Chamber of Commerce.
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Get in Touch
The Shah family is ready to come home.
Whether you represent the Port, the EDC, a potential commercial partner, or the press — we welcome the conversation.
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