Saronic said Brownsville will host Port Alpha, a planned next-generation shipyard expected to open in 2028 as the company expands U.S. shipbuilding and autonomous vessel production.
Saronic said Brownsville, Texas will be the future home of Port Alpha, a next-generation shipyard backed by a planned investment of more than $3 billion and expected to create up to 10,000 direct jobs. The company said construction is anticipated to begin in 2026, with operations targeted for 2028, as it pushes to expand U.S. shipbuilding capacity and autonomous maritime manufacturing. The project builds on earlier local estimates that put Saronic Technologies' Brownsville investment at $3.2 billion and described it as one of the largest economic development efforts in the city's history. In its latest announcement, Saronic said Port Alpha is expected to generate more than $160 billion in regional economic impact for Cameron County and $264.5 billion for Texas. The company said the site will initially span 835 acres at the Port of Brownsville, with room to expand to nearly 4,400 acres, and will be capable of producing vessels up to 850 feet, with future expansion supporting vessels over 1,200 feet. Saronic said Brownsville was chosen after a year-long search across the East, West and Gulf coasts that evaluated workforce, infrastructure, logistics and expansion potential. The company said Port Alpha will focus on software-defined shipbuilding and autonomous maritime systems, while its existing Franklin, Louisiana shipyard continues producing the 180-foot Marauder autonomous vessel after a $300 million expansion announced in early 2025.