Drone Ship Maker Saronic Announces New $3B Shipyard In Texas Capable of Building 850-Foot Vessels

Summary

Saronic, a drone ship manufacturer known for producing the first sea drones used as kinetic weapons by U.S. forces, has announced plans to build a massive new shipyard called Port Alpha in Brownsville, Texas, representing an investment of over $3 billion in private capital. The facility will initially span 835 acres at the Port of Brownsville with potential expansion to nearly 4,400 acres, capable of producing vessels up to 850 feet, and potentially exceeding 1,200 feet with future expansion. Saronic's co-founder described Port Alpha as the planned largest shipyard in the Western Hemisphere, designed to produce both commercial and military vessels, including Panamax-sized cargo ships, roll-on/roll-offs, and various uncrewed surface vessels. The announcement comes at a critical time when the United States is struggling to match China's shipbuilding capacity, and the Trump administration has prioritized expanding America's naval shipbuilding capabilities. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2026, with operations expected to commence in 2028, with projections estimating the project will create up to 10,000 direct jobs and generate over $264 billion in economic impact for the state of Texas.