Saronic today announced a $300 million investment to expand its Franklin, Louisiana shipyard — a major milestone in the company’s continued growth as a leader in autonomous shipbuilding.
Saronic press release
This investment will significantly increase production capacity for Saronic’s fleet of Autonomous Surface Vessels (ASVs), adding 1,500 skilled jobs, and strengthening the Gulf Coast’s role in the future of American maritime innovation in the process.
Supported by close partnerships with Louisiana Economic Development, St. Mary Parish, and other state and local officials, Saronic is expanding its facility to meet surging demand for its autonomous ships. The company broke ground on the new construction project in November 2025, which will add more than 300,000 square feet of new production capacity. The project is slated for completion by the end of 2026, with expanded operations coming online in early 2027.
“This expansion represents what American industry can achieve when innovation and production are fully aligned,” said Dino Mavrookas, Saronic Co-founder and CEO. “Our expanded shipyard will enable us to deliver autonomous ships at unprecedented speed and scale while creating 1,500 high-quality jobs across Louisiana. Together with our next-generation Port Alpha shipyard, we’re establishing the modern blueprint for American shipbuilding — an integrated ecosystem that connects autonomy innovation with large-scale production capacity to strengthen and sustain America’s maritime leadership for generations to come.”
As part of the shipyard expansion, Saronic will construct three new slips, expand its warehouse, and develop a dedicated production line for large-vessel assembly — namely Marauder, the company’s 180-foot autonomous ship. Saronic is collaborating with industry leaders JacobsWyper Architects, P2S, KPFF, JE Dunn, and Alberici on the design and construction.
“Saronic Technologies’ decision to invest in Louisiana speaks to the strength of our workforce and the state’s leadership in defense manufacturing,” Governor Jeff Landry said. “Louisiana has long built the ships and technology that keep America strong. This project shows that our people, our ports and our pro-growth policies are creating jobs and securing our state’s place at the forefront of America’s defense economy.”
“Saronic’s expansion draws on Louisiana’s historic strengths — a world-class maritime workforce, generations of shipbuilders and unmatched technical expertise,” LED Secretary Susan B. Bourgeois said. “This project builds on that proud legacy by integrating new technology and innovation to ensure our state continues leading in the maritime and defense sectors for decades to come.”
The Next Evolution of Marauder
At its Franklin facility, Saronic is currently constructing two 150-foot Marauder vessels, having progressed from initial design to full vessel development in just six months. The company expects to splash its first vessel by the end of the year.
Through vertical integration, iterative design, and advanced manufacturing, Saronic has evolved Marauder’s design to 180-feet, enhancing its payload capacity and operational range. The updated vessel is capable of hosting up to four 40-foot or eight 20-foot ISO containers, providing unmatched modularity for logistics, payload delivery, and sustained operations at sea. With a cruise speed of 12 knots and a top speed of 25+ knots, a 150-metric-ton payload capacity, and a range of up to 5,400 nautical miles, the Marauder can operate autonomously or under remote supervision for extended missions.
By employing reusable subassemblies, optimizing production sequencing, and leveraging domestic supply chains, Saronic is setting a new standard for rapid, scalable, and adaptable U.S. shipbuilding. The company’s unique approach to developing and producing autonomous ships has already delivered a 25 percent gain in efficiency between the development and build of its first two Marauder vessel, and the company plans to further accelerate that rate of efficiency as it ramps up production.
Investing in America’s Maritime Future
Saronic’s Franklin expansion represents a major investment in the Gulf Coast’s maritime economy and workforce. By blending traditional shipbuilding expertise with cutting-edge autonomy and manufacturing approaches, Saronic is creating new opportunities for both seasoned tradespeople and next-generation talent.
Since beginning operations in April 2025, Saronic has tripled the workforce — growing it from an initial team of roughly 30 employees to more than 100. The company plans to continue to grow its local workforce, creating 1,500 new jobs over the coming years across welding, fabrication, engineering, and systems integration. These positions will be supported by local workforce training programs and educational partnerships, ensuring that Louisiana’s skilled labor force continues to grow alongside the region’s maritime industry.
The Franklin facility complements Saronic’s plans for Port Alpha, the largest and most advanced shipyard in the US, designed to produce large autonomous ships at speed and scale and create thousands of jobs. These two facilities form an integrated production ecosystem designed to accelerate America’s shipbuilding capabilities and the integration of autonomous ships into national maritime operations. Through these strategic investments, Saronic is building the foundation for a more agile, resilient, and technologically advanced shipbuilding industry — one that strengthens U.S. deterrence, supports commercial maritime innovation, and ensures continued US and allied leadership at sea.
As Saronic continues its rapid expansion, the company is actively recruiting for several open roles in Louisiana. Explore current opportunities here on the Saronic careers page and register here to be notified about the company’s job opportunities, hiring events, and news updates through LED FastStart Recruiting.
-End-
Check out our recent interview with Saronic recorded during Indo Pacific 2025 in Australia:
