Saronic Acquires Gulf Craft and Unveils ‘Marauder’: A Big Leap Toward the Future of Autonomous Shipbuilding in the U.S.
In a major move aimed at reshaping the future of naval shipbuilding, Saronic has officially acquired Gulf Craft, a long-established shipyard based in Louisiana. This acquisition marks a turning point for the fast-growing defense technology company as it looks to rapidly expand its capabilities in building autonomous ships. The first big result of this expansion is the unveiling of Marauder, a powerful and fully unmanned 150-foot Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel (MUSV) built to serve both military and commercial missions.
With over 60 years of shipbuilding experience under its belt, Gulf Craft brings to the table not just skilled labor and infrastructure, but also a deep-rooted presence on the U.S. Gulf Coast — a strategically important location for defense production. By integrating Gulf Craft into its operations, Saronic now has a well-established production hub ready to support rapid prototyping and mass production of unmanned vessels. This move is a bold step toward reducing the U.S. military's reliance on manned platforms while preparing for a future where large fleets of autonomous vessels may dominate the seas.
The newly revealed Marauder is no ordinary vessel. Purpose-built from the ground up, this medium-class unmanned ship can carry up to 40 metric tons and travel as far as 3,500 nautical miles. If the mission requires it, the Marauder can remain on station for over 30 days. Importantly, the ship will use Saronic’s advanced autonomy systems that have already proven effective in smaller vessels. It’s a ship designed to be fully unmanned, which drastically reduces costs and risks compared to legacy manned ships.
Saronic plans to invest over $250 million in modernizing the acquired shipyard. This includes facility upgrades, advanced machinery, and systems designed to speed up production without compromising quality. These changes are expected to allow Saronic to eventually build up to 50 unmanned ships every year — a huge leap in capacity at a time when the U.S. Navy and allied forces are actively seeking new, cost-effective maritime solutions.
The company has also made it clear that its ambitions go beyond just this acquisition. While the Gulf Craft site will serve immediate production needs, Saronic is laying the groundwork for a much larger initiative called Port Alpha. This future facility, which Saronic plans to develop with a staggering $2.5 billion investment, will be the world’s most advanced shipyard dedicated entirely to building autonomous surface vessels. It is expected to create thousands of new jobs and dramatically boost the U.S.'s ability to produce next-generation naval platforms at scale.
This acquisition isn’t just good news for Saronic and its customers — it’s also a boost for Louisiana’s economy. By retaining Gulf Craft’s existing workforce and planning to hire more than 500 new employees over the next few years, Saronic is investing in American labor and helping revive the local shipbuilding industry. This includes opportunities for skilled trades like welders and electricians, as well as new roles for engineers, naval architects, and technologists.
Leaders in Washington have welcomed this development as a vital step toward restoring the strength of America’s maritime industrial base. As global competition in defense shipbuilding intensifies — particularly from China — this move helps strengthen the U.S. position. Saronic’s vertically integrated approach, domestic supply chain focus, and rapid development timelines make it a key player in efforts to modernize and expand the Navy’s capabilities.
In simple terms, Saronic isn’t just building ships — it’s building the future. With the acquisition of Gulf Craft and the launch of the Marauder, the company has taken a giant step toward becoming a powerhouse in autonomous naval technology. More importantly, it’s helping lead the charge in ensuring America remains at the forefront of maritime innovation and defense strength.
