BROWNSVILLE, Texas — July 16, 2026 — Continuing its storied shipbuilding tradition, the Port of Brownsville today welcomed Governor Greg Abbott’s announcement that Saronic Technologies has selected the port as the home of Port Alpha, a $3.2 billion next-generation shipyard expected to create more than 10,000 direct jobs in the region.
Port Alpha represents one of the largest economic development projects in the history of the Rio Grande Valley and the State of Texas and reinforces the port’s long-standing role in America’s shipbuilding industry.
In addition to the thousands of direct jobs created, the shipyard is expected to generate more than $160 billion in regional economic impact for Cameron County and $264.5 billion for the State of Texas.
Port Alpha will encompass 835 acres, with construction slated to begin in 2026, allowing the project to expand in step with production demand. Port Alpha expected to open for operations in 2028.
At full build-out, the development is expected to expand to nearly 4,400 acres, and will include a shipyard and manufacturing facility capable of producing vessels up to 850 ft. Future site expansion could support the production of vessels over 1,200 ft. The site provides hundreds of acres of waterfront access, deepwater channel connectivity, multimodal logistics infrastructure, and room for long-term expansion – everything required to anchor a next-generation shipbuilding hub.
Among the positions will be specialized roles such as welders, engineers and advanced manufacturing technicians.
From left: BND Commissioner David A. Garcia, BND Commissioner Luis H. Villarreal Jr., BND Secretary John Reed, BND Vice Chairman Ernesto Gutierrez, BND Chairman Sergio Tito Lopez, and Port Director and CEO William Dietrich gather to celebrate Saronic Technologies’ selection of the Port of Brownsville as the site for its Project Alpha shipyard, announced Thursday, July 16, 2026, at the Brownsville Administration Office.
Port leadership welcomed the announcement, lauding the transformative impact for the region.
“As the only deepwater seaport on the U.S.-Mexico border, the Port of Brownsville has long been a strategic hub for industry and shipbuilding. We are proud to welcome Saronic Technologies and the transformative opportunities Port Alpha will bring to our region,” said Brownsville Navigation District Chairman Sergio Tito Lopez. “I thank Governor Abbott for his leadership and recognize the collaboration of Cameron County, the Greater Brownsville Economic Development Corporation and Point Isabel Independent School District in helping make this project possible. Saronic’s decision to invest in Brownsville reflects the strength of our community, our workforce and our shared commitment to advancing American manufacturing.”
BND Vice Chairman Ernesto Gutierrez echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the project’s global impact.
“Reaching this milestone took careful groundwork, and the payoff extends far beyond the Rio Grande Valley, this is a project with global reach. Creating strong career opportunities for local families is the defining mission of the Port of Brownsville,” said Gutierrez. “Saronic’s arrival will generate more than 10,000 jobs for our workforce. We’re proud to welcome Saronic to Brownsville and eager to work together for the benefit of our region.”
For BND Secretary John Reed, the partnership carries strategic significance beyond job creation.
“What we’re announcing today reflects strategic economic planning. Teaming up with Saronic allows us to strengthen national defense capabilities while growing a highly skilled manufacturing workforce right here in Brownsville,” said Reed. “It’s a privilege to have Saronic join our community, and we’re ready to get moving on what comes next.”
The Port of Brownsville’s shipbuilding legacy spans more than 50 years beginning with Marathon LeTourneau’s shipyard in the early 1970s, continuing through Keppel AmFELS’ more than three decades as the region’s premier shipbuilder, and carrying forward through Seatrium before the facility’s 2025 transition to Karpowership.
“Over five decades, the Port of Brownsville has helped shape nearly every major chapter in America’s maritime manufacturing story, standing as a launching pad for bold ideas that pushed our nation forward,” said BND Commissioner David Garcia. “Saronic’s announcement extends that legacy, adding another achievement to a long history of progress. We’re honored Saronic chose Brownsville, and we look forward to writing this next chapter together.”
BND Commissioner Luis H. Villarreal Jr. pointed to the port’s unique geographic position as a driver of continued growth.
“Geographically and economically, the Port of Brownsville is a place where the space, energy, advanced manufacturing and shipbuilding industries converge to create an ecosystem for innovation and growth,” said Villarreal. “Saronic’s investment strengthens that ecosystem, reinforcing the Port of Brownsville as a destination for transformative industries and creating new opportunities for the Rio Grande Valley, Texas and the nation’s maritime future.”
Port Director and CEO William Dietrich closed by emphasizing the port’s long-term commitment to responsible growth.
“Today reinforces the Port of Brownsville’s ongoing investment in regional growth. Made possible by strong ties between the business and education communities, this milestone is just the beginning of what’s ahead, growth we intend to pursue while protecting our environment and waterways for generations to come,” said Dietrich. “We appreciate Saronic’s confidence in our community and look forward to the road ahead together.”
The Port of Brownsville’s combined private investments across the space, energy, manufacturing and shipbuilding sectors now exceeds $60 billion for the region. The port remains a magnet for capital investment on a scale that is redefining South Texas’s economic future.
About the Port of Brownsville
The Port of Brownsville is the only deep-water seaport directly on the U.S.-Mexico border and encompasses 40,000 acres – the largest land-owning public port authority in the country.
The port transships more steel into Mexico than any other U.S. port and is home to premier energy, shipbuilding, and ship recycling industries. It ranks No. 41 among the Top 150 U.S. maritime ports for waterborne cargo, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
As the major multimodal transportation hub serving the Rio Grande Valley and northern Mexico, the Port of Brownsville supports investment opportunities and jobs. Activity at the port is responsible for adding more than $1 billion to the Rio Grande Valley regional economy and more than $12 billion to the Texas economy, and the creation of more than 100,000 jobs statewide. For more information visit www.portofbrownsville.com
