JE Dunn and Alberici start Saronic’s $3.2B Texas shipyard

A JE Dunn-Alberici joint venture has begun initial construction on Saronic’s Port Alpha shipyard in Brownsville, Texas, a development costing more than $3.2 billion, according to Construction Dive. The project starts with an 835-acre site and a phased construction plan intended to bring manufacturing capacity into service while the larger shipyard takes shape.

Saronic expects the development to create up to 10,000 direct jobs over the next decade, according to its announcement published by the Port of Brownsville. Alberici’s project announcement places that employment estimate at full buildout. Planned roles range from welding and machining to robotics, software engineering and naval architecture.

The company says it is working with Texas, Cameron County and regional educational institutions on technical training, apprenticeships and engineering pipelines. Initial operations are planned around 1.2 million square feet of enclosed production space across eight to 10 production buildings. The first phase is intended to produce autonomous, autonomy-capable and manned ships, including Landing Craft Utility vessels for the U.S. Navy, Saronic said.

Construction begins with grading, ground improvement, drainage, roads and utilities, followed by assembly buildings, material-handling systems and waterfront facilities, according to Alberici. Design, procurement and construction will overlap. Alberici President Jose Garcia said the contractor’s own craft workforce and equipment would execute excavation, dredging, marine concrete and waterfront work.

The delivery approach allows the team to evaluate design, scope and cost before agreeing on a final construction price, Scott Shelby, JE Dunn vice president and the joint venture’s program leader, told Construction Dive. Early structural and waterfront work can be planned while later equipment installation and supporting infrastructure are coordinated.