Vigor and Saronic partner on ship repair for unmanned vessels

Vigor Marine has entered a strategic partnership with US-based Saronic Technologies to support the construction and lifecycle maintenance of unmanned surface vessels (USVs) for both defence and commercial markets.

Under the agreement, announced last week, Vigor will contribute shipbuilding and repair capacity, drawing on its experience with military and civilian customers across both US coasts. Saronic will bring platform design and maritime autonomy expertise, as well as production capabilities focused on scaling up delivery of unmanned systems.

The collaboration aims to provide full lifecycle support for autonomous vessels, including fabrication, repair, and systems integration, positioning the two firms to compete for emerging USV programmes in both government and industry sectors.

Saronic, backed by USD 600 million in venture capital, recently acquired aluminium boatbuilder Gulf Craft to accelerate production. The company plans to begin building a 45m USV called Marauder, which it is pitching for the US Navy’s Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel (MUSV) programme. The MUSV effort has USD 2.1 billion in allocated funding for design and acquisition.

While Saronic is planning a greenfield shipyard project under the name “Port Alpha”, the Gulf Craft site provides immediate capacity for hull production. The partnership with Vigor is expected to bolster after-delivery support, an area increasingly under scrutiny as unmanned programmes gain momentum.

Vigor currently provides ship repair and sustainment for the US Navy, Coast Guard, Military Sealift Command, and a wide range of commercial operators. The agreement signals its entry into the growing maritime autonomy segment.