Saronic and Vigor Marine Group Announce Collaboration on Development of Autonomous Vessels
Austin, Texas-based unmanned surface vessel (USV) start-up, Saronic Technologies, recently announced its strategic partnership with Portland, Oregon-based shipbuilder, Vigor Marine Group, to identify opportunities aimed at advancing the interests of U.S. government and commercial maritime clients. Together, the companies intend to offer a full lifecycle solution for maritime customers facing evolving operational and readiness demands.
“This partnership brings together two leaders in the maritime industry to collaboratively create a full lifecycle solution that can ensure our maritime customers are mission-ready today and into the future,” Dino Mavrookas, co-founder and CEO of Saronic, said. “Combining Saronic’s technical leadership in autonomous maritime systems and scaled production with Vigor’s strategically located infrastructure and experience in maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) and lifecycle sustainment creates new opportunities to accelerate capability delivery and ensure that government and commercial customers can count on a reliable, trusted sustainment network to meet the readiness requirements for larger autonomous ships today and into the future.”
“The partnership represents a "tremendous opportunity for Vigor Marine Group to harness our innovative spirit and long history in the marine fabrication and MRO markets to provide solutions for our customers in this rapidly changing maritime environment,” said Vigor Marine Group CEO, Francesco Valente.
Founded in 2022 as part of 8VC’s Build Program, Saronic has continued to secure significant funding from investors such as General Catalyst, 8VC, a16z, Caffeinated Capital, and Lightspeed. In February, the company raised $600 million in Series C funding at a $4 billion post-money valuation and announced plans for a new shipyard called “Port Alpha.” In April, Saronic acquired Gulf Craft, a Louisiana-based shipbuilder, where it plans to produce the Marauder USV.
The company currently offers six USV models ranging in size from the six-foot Spyglass to the 150-foot Marauder. Saronic’s development of medium and large USVs aligns with recent trends in Navy procurement, with plans to have the Marauder operational by early next year and two additional products released within the year.
Vigor Marine Group, founded in 1995, provides rapid ship repair and fabrication, and has expanded through the acquisition of multiple shipyards across Alaska and Oregon. Private equity involvement, led by Carlyle, resulted in a merger with MHI holdings in 2019, and the addition of three more yards last month, bringing the total to five. The organization now employs approximately 2,600 people and operates eight dry docks. Vigor holds several notable multi-million-dollar contracts with the U.S. Navy.