Wedoany.com Report-Apr. 17, Saronic, a U.S. start-up founded in 2022 to develop autonomous vessels for defense applications, has acquired Gulf Craft, a Louisiana-based shipbuilder, to enhance its shipbuilding capabilities. The acquisition, based in Franklin, Louisiana, supports Saronic’s growth and the introduction of its 150-foot autonomous vessel, the Marauder.

Saronic's concept for a 150-foot Autonomous Surface Vessel, the Marauder

Gulf Craft, established in 1965, specializes in custom aluminum boats, including ferries and offshore support vessels. The acquisition provides Saronic with immediate shipbuilding capacity and a strategic Gulf Coast location. “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. “While we actively search for a home for Port Alpha, this acquisition gives us the immediate capacity to meet urgent customer needs for larger autonomous vessels and the flexibility to scale to address emerging commercial and defense applications of these advanced systems.”

In February 2025, Saronic secured $600 million in its Series C funding round, supporting its vision for Port Alpha, a new shipyard designed to produce advanced autonomous ships at scale. The Gulf Craft acquisition adds nearly 100 acres, serving as a hub for prototyping and producing medium unmanned surface vessels (MUSVs). Saronic has retained Gulf Craft’s workforce and plans to create over 500 jobs in the next three to four years, including roles for engineers, technologists, and naval architects. The company will invest over $250 million to modernize the shipyard, upgrading infrastructure and acquiring new machinery to enable production of up to 50 unmanned ships annually.

The Marauder, a 150-foot Autonomous Surface Vessel (ASV), was unveiled alongside the acquisition. Designed for U.S., allied, and commercial missions, it offers a 40-metric-ton payload capacity, a 3,500-nautical-mile range, or the ability to loiter for over 30 days. Fully unmanned, the Marauder integrates Saronic’s autonomy technology and leverages a domestic supplier network. “The Marauder represents a leap forward in autonomous vessel design, meeting diverse mission needs with reliability and efficiency,” said a Saronic representative.

Saronic plans to invest over $2.5 billion in Port Alpha, aiming to create a leading shipyard capable of producing hundreds of unmanned vessels annually. The acquisition and modernization efforts align with initiatives to strengthen the U.S. shipbuilding industry, supporting the growing demand for autonomous maritime systems.