BROWNSVILLE, TX — JE Dunn Construction and Alberici Constructors Inc. celebrated the official groundbreaking for the initial phases of Port Alpha, Saronic Technologies’ over $3.2 billion shipyard development at the Port of Brownsville to manufacture autonomous, autonomy capable, and manned vessels. Vice President JD Vance attended the event alongside other national, state, and local representatives, including Texas Governor Greg Abbott. Representing one of the largest economic development projects in modern Texas history, the historic Port Alpha investment is expected to create up to 10,000 direct jobs at full buildout.
“Port Alpha represents a defining investment in the future of maritime manufacturing,” said Gordon Lansford, President and CEO of JE Dunn Construction. “JE Dunn is proud to help build the infrastructure and advanced manufacturing capacity that will shape this next chapter. Together with Alberici, Saronic, and our project partners, we are bringing the expertise and collaboration needed to turn this bold vision into a world-class shipyard.”
The groundbreaking marks the start of work to establish the manufacturing facilities and critical infrastructure necessary to launch autonomous vessel production at the initial 835-acre site. The initial work encompasses overlapping stages:
- Site preparation and infrastructure: JE Dunn and Alberici will prepare the initial development areas through grading, ground improvement, drainage, access roads, and utility infrastructure. This foundational work supports both ongoing construction and the first manufacturing operations, with built-in provisions for future expansion.
- Phase 1 shipyard development: Starting with the initial assembly buildings alongside the utilities, material-handling systems, and supporting facilities, JE Dunn and Alberici will take on the full development of the first phase of Port Alpha. At completion, the site will encompass all manufacturing facilities, warehousing, permanent waterfront and vessel-launching infrastructure, and the employee support facilities needed for a fully integrated, operating shipyard.
“This first-of-its-kind shipyard is an opportunity to bring our team's extensive marine experience and self-perform expertise to critical infrastructure,” said Jose Garcia, President of Alberici Constructors Inc. “Our experienced craft and specialized equipment allow us to directly execute critical scopes including excavation, dredging, marine concrete, and waterfront construction while maintaining greater control over safety, quality, and schedule.”
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In collaboration with design partners Stantec and KPFF, the JE Dunn | Alberici joint venture has developed this progressive design-build approach to intricately coordinate facility design and construction with Saronic’s highly advanced production equipment and operating requirements. By intentionally overlapping design, procurement, and construction across all three stages, the project team ensures manufacturing capability is brought into service progressively as the larger, multi-billion-dollar development takes shape.
