With over six decades of experience in both manned and unmanned vessel construction, Gulf Craft brings the infrastructure and skilled workforce required to scale Saronic’s shipbuilding capabilities. The acquisition enables rapid prototyping and manufacturing of advanced autonomous systems to meet current and future defence and commercial needs.
“Today marks a significant milestone in Saronic’s expansion into autonomous shipbuilding and lays the foundation for our vision of our larger, next-generation shipyard, Port Alpha,” said Saronic CEO Dino Mavrookas. “We don’t wait—we build for what our customers need, when they need it.”
The acquisition has also received political backing, with Speaker of the House Mike Johnson highlighting its strategic importance to U.S. industry and security. “The investment of Saronic in Louisiana’s shipbuilding industry will grow our economy, create high-quality jobs, and bolster America’s maritime strength,” he said.
Marauder, the first vessel to be built under this new arrangement, is a 150-foot MUSV designed for extended missions by U.S. and allied forces as well as commercial clients. It features a 40-metric-ton payload capacity and is capable of travelling 3,500 nautical miles or loitering for over 30 days, depending on mission requirements.
Built to operate without any crew, Marauder incorporates Saronic’s established autonomy systems used across its existing ASV fleet. The vessel reflects the company’s integrated production model and commitment to engineering discipline and domestic sourcing.
The acquisition adds nearly 100 acres to Saronic’s operational footprint, enabling the company to invest over $250 million into facility upgrades. These improvements will modernise the shipyard, enhance manufacturing efficiency, and support a production rate of up to 50 unmanned vessels per year.
Saronic has retained Gulf Craft’s workforce and expects to generate more than 500 new jobs over the next three to four years. Positions will include traditional shipbuilding roles as well as new opportunities for engineers, technologists, and naval architects.
“Louisiana plays a vital role in the U.S. shipbuilding industry, and with this acquisition, we are excited to be a part of the region’s continued industry revitalisation,” said Mavrookas. “The shipyard’s location, deep expertise, and turnkey facilities are ideally suited to allow Saronic to expeditiously develop, test, and produce its first MUSV model.”
Congressman Clay Higgins of Louisiana’s 3rd District welcomed the investment, stating, “Saronic’s investment furthers the state’s position as a leader in the production of unmanned vessels, which are critical for the success of future Department of Defense missions.”
This strategic expansion is part of Saronic’s broader vision to develop Port Alpha, a planned $2.5 billion advanced shipyard capable of producing hundreds of unmanned vessels annually. The long-term project aims to create thousands of new jobs and reinforce America’s maritime industrial base.
