Saronic Expands to Mississippi, Selects Port of Gulfport for Marauder On-Water Testing
Mon, 08/10/2026 - 09:21am | By: Saronic Team
Saronic announced it has expanded its operations to Gulfport, Miss., establishing an initial site for on-water testing of the company’s Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel (MUSV), Marauder, at the Port of Gulfport. As production of Saronic’s Marauder platform continues to scale, the site will support testing and commissioning of the company’s 180 ft. autonomous ships as they move from production to final delivery. Saronic marked the occasion at an event held Aug. 9 in the Port of Gulfport, joined by Chairman Roger Wicker and representatives from Governor Tate Reeves, Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith and Congressman Mike Ezell’s offices, along with leadership from the Port of Gulfport and The University of Southern Mississippi (USM).
The Saronic facility at the Port of Gulfport spans more than 30,000 square feet and includes dedicated port access, office space, and warehouse space that can support Saronic’s growing operations. The company’s local team includes Mission Operations and Commissioning specialists, who are responsible for taking each Marauder through final end-of-line tests and on-water trials. Saronic’s first Marauder, which was designed and launched in less than a year, arrived at Gulfport in mid-July and is already undergoing testing at the site. Since its arrival, the vessel has logged hundreds of hours of on-water testing, with trials running 12+ hours a day, seven days a week. Additional Marauders are already under construction at Saronic’s shipyard in Franklin, La., and will follow the same path to Gulfport as production ramps.
“Gulfport has developed an incredible ecosystem of partners across industry, academia, and government to advance the future of maritime systems,” said Dino Mavrookas, Co-Founder and CEO of Saronic. “With a long legacy in shipbuilding, fabrication, and offshore operations, Gulfport is an ideal location to support the testing and commissioning of Marauder as we scale production and deliver autonomous ships to our defense and commercial partners.”
The state of Mississippi has spent years building the conditions that unmanned maritime systems require, having the foresight to invest ahead of market demand. The Mississippi State Port Authority developed the state-owned port into a growing deepwater container gateway and partnered with The University of Southern Mississippi to build a research center on its working waterfront specifically for uncrewed maritime systems. The result is a coastline where Saronic could arrive and find the pieces already in place to launch a dedicated MUSV test site.
“Thanks to innovators like Saronic, unmanned technology is advancing faster, ships are built more efficiently, and our warfighters are better equipped for the challenges ahead,” said Chairman Roger Wicker. “This critical work is being done in the great state of Mississippi, where we continue to lead the way to strengthen our defense industrial base. As Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, we will continue to invest in our future, and we will not leave our military unprepared.”
“Mississippi continues to attract companies that are shaping the future of American industry, and Saronic’s expansion to Gulfport is another great example of that momentum,” said Governor Tate Reeves. “Our state’s strong maritime assets, pro-business environment, and talented workforce make Mississippi the right place for companies developing the next generation of maritime technologies.”
“The Roger F. Wicker Center for Ocean Enterprise was built to anchor the uncrewed maritime industry on the Gulf Coast, and Saronic’s decision to test and commission Marauder at Gulfport is the strongest signal yet that the strategy is working,” said Jon Nass, CEO of the Port of Gulfport. “We’re proud that vessels strengthening America’s security are being proven on this waterfront, and we are ready and excited to grow with Saronic as production scales.”
“The decision to establish Gulfport as the site for Marauder’s commissioning and testing is a major win for Mississippi and a testament to the unmatched capabilities of our Gulf Coast workforce,” said Representative Mike Ezell. “As Chairman of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, I’m proud to support innovative technologies that strengthen our national defense while creating high-quality jobs here at home. This investment reinforces Mississippi’s growing role as a leader in maritime innovation, defense manufacturing, and autonomous systems, and I look forward to seeing Marauder help advance our nation’s security for years to come. I also appreciate Saronic’s commitment to the Gulf Coast and their recognition of the welcoming community they’ve found in Gulfport.”
“Saronic’s decision to establish operations in Gulfport reflects the strength of the maritime assets, infrastructure, and partnerships we’ve cultivated in Mississippi. Our state continues to demonstrate why we are increasingly recognized as a destination for companies advancing our nation’s defense capabilities,” said Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. “I’m proud to welcome Saronic as another cutting-edge, innovative defense company to the Mississippi Gulf Coast.”
“Saronic’s investment in Gulfport strengthens Mississippi’s maritime industrial base, supports good-paying jobs, and helps ensure our Navy has the capabilities it needs for the future,” said Representative Trent Kelly, Chairman of the House Armed Services Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee.