Vice President JD Vance kicks off construction of $3.2B Brownsville shipyard promising 10,000 jobs
Officials participate in the groundbreaking for Saronic Technologies’ Port Alpha shipyard at the Port of Brownsville on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. The $3.2 billion project is expected to support up to 10,000 jobs over the next decade. Photo Credit | Kristen Mosbrucker-Garza

Construction began on the $3.2 billion defense contractor shipyard at the Port of Brownsville on Wednesday with some notable guests at the private event on the port docks under the brutal South Texas sun. 

It was so hot that a portable air-conditioned tent short-circuited temporarily during the event and had to be restarted with generators in tow. 

Sitting vice president JD Vance mingled with Saronic Technologies CEO Dino Mavrookas before touting the company’s efforts to arm the American warfighter with autonomous drone vessels and its contract with the U.S. Navy. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott joined Port of Brownsville chairman Sergio Lopez and dozens of business leaders across South Texas. 

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