Saronic Acquires Gulf Craft to Boost Autonomous Shipbuilding

Saronic has acquired Gulf Craft, a Louisiana-based shipbuilder, to accelerate its expansion into autonomous shipbuilding, announced in a press release. This acquisition provides Saronic with a strategically located shipyard on the Gulf Coast, which will serve as the prototyping and production hub for its medium unmanned surface vessel (MUSV) fleet, starting with the 150-foot Autonomous Surface Vessel (ASV) named Marauder.

The acquisition of Gulf Craft, known for its 60-year history in developing manned and unmanned ships, equips Saronic with the necessary infrastructure and skilled workforce to develop and scale production of its MUSVs. The Marauder, designed to support a wide range of missions, boasts a payload capacity of 40 metric tons and can travel up to 3,500 nautical miles or loiter for over 30 days.

Saronic plans to invest over $250 million into the shipyard, modernizing infrastructure and expanding production capabilities to deliver up to 50 unmanned ships per year. This strategic move aligns with national efforts to revitalize the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base, enhancing America's maritime strength and national security.