Saronic Technologies has selected the Port of Brownsville in Texas for its $3.248 billion Port Alpha shipyard and manufacturing facility. The project will support the production of medium- and large-class autonomous and autonomy-capable vessels for defense and commercial markets.
Construction is expected to begin later this year, with operations scheduled to start in 2028. The company expects the facility to create up to 10,000 jobs across shipbuilding, advanced manufacturing, robotics, software engineering, welding, machining, and naval architecture. The initial facility will manufacture vessels up to 850 feet long, with future expansion capacity for vessels exceeding 1,200 feet.
Texas is supporting the investment through an $80 million grant from the Texas Enterprise Fund and a $78,000 Veteran Created Job Bonus. The project also qualifies under the Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation (JETI) program, which provides incentives for large-scale capital investments.
Saronic plans to partner with Cameron County, regional technical colleges, and state universities to establish workforce training and apprenticeship programs. The Port of Brownsville, one of the largest foreign trade zones in the United States, will host the facility.