Saronic Buys Louisiana Shipyard to Build Larger Autonomous Vessels

In a significant move for the autonomous vessel industry, Saronic has acquired Gulf Craft, a Louisiana-based shipbuilder, to enhance its production capabilities for unmanned surface vessels (USVs). This acquisition marks a pivotal step in Saronic’s mission to develop larger autonomous vessels, with plans to modernize the shipyard and create hundreds of jobs in the coming years. The company has committed $250 million to upgrade the facilities, which will enable the construction of up to 50 unmanned vessels annually.

Strategic Acquisition and Job Creation

Saronic’s acquisition of Gulf Craft adds nearly 100 acres of dedicated shipbuilding facilities, which are essential for the company’s unmanned vessel development efforts. A spokesperson for Saronic emphasized that this new shipyard provides the immediate capacity needed to produce larger autonomous surface vessels (ASVs). The company plans to leverage the existing workforce at Gulf Craft while also creating up to 500 new jobs over the next three to four years. These roles will focus on specialized production lines for unmanned systems.

Saronic CEO Dino Mavrookas highlighted the strategic advantages of the Gulf Craft location, noting its deep expertise and turnkey facilities. This setup will facilitate the rapid development, testing, and production of Saronic’s first medium unmanned surface vessel (MUSV) model. The acquisition aligns with the U.S. Navy’s increasing demand for advanced unmanned systems to support its hybrid fleet.

Regulation development for autonomous and remote-controlled shipping

Future Plans and Investments

The acquisition of Gulf Craft is part of Saronic’s broader vision, which includes the ambitious Port Alpha plan. This initiative aims to invest $2.5 billion in a new shipyard capable of producing hundreds of unmanned surface vessels annually and creating thousands of jobs. While Saronic is currently searching for a suitable location for Port Alpha, the Gulf Craft acquisition provides the company with the immediate capacity to address current demands for larger autonomous vessels.

Mavrookas stated, “We don’t wait—we build for what our customers need, when they need it.” This proactive approach underscores Saronic’s commitment to scaling its operations in response to emerging commercial and defense applications for advanced unmanned systems. The Maruader and the Gulf Craft shipyard position Saronic as a key player in the evolving landscape of unmanned maritime technology, particularly as the U.S. military seeks to enhance its capabilities against near-peer threats.

As Saronic continues to innovate and expand, the company is poised to play a crucial role in the future of autonomous maritime operations.