Saronic selects Brownsville, Texas, for $3 billion Port Alpha autonomous shipyard

Published Jul 17, 06:49 PM UTC

Autonomous vessel manufacturer Saronic has chosen Brownsville, Texas, as the site for its $3 billion Port Alpha shipyard, which the company claims will be the world's most advanced. The 835-acre facility, with potential to expand to 4,400 acres, will be capable of building vessels up to 850 feet long and is expected to open in 2028. The project is projected to create up to 10,000 jobs and generate $264.5 billion in economic impact for Texas. The announcement follows recent combat and rescue missions by Saronic's Corsair drone boats for the U.S. Navy. Texas provided an $80 million grant, and Cameron County approved a 95% tax abatement contingent on local hiring targets, despite some local opposition. The shipyard is part of a broader federal effort to rebuild U.S. shipbuilding capacity to compete with China.