Jackson, MS — Ocean Aero, manufacturer and service provider of ocean-going autonomous underwater and surface vehicles, is relocating its manufacturing operations and headquarters from San Diego to Gulfport. The project is a $4.65 million corporate investment and will create 45 jobs.
Ocean Aero’s AUSVs are currently deployed by the U.S. Dept. of Defense, Dept. of Homeland Security, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, offshore energy companies and more. Ocean Aero’s AUSVs provide a unique capability to monitor the world’s oceans and critical offshore infrastructure. The company manufactures the world’s first and only environmentally powered AUSV, TRITON, which operates exclusively on wind and solar energy and performs long-endurance missions on the ocean’s surface with the ability to also perform underwater operations.
The Mississippi Development Authority is providing assistance for equipment relocation and workforce training.
Ocean Aero plans to fill the 45 new jobs by the end of this year.
Quotes
“Mississippi remains firmly focused on the development of our maritime industry and blue economy. We are proud to partner with Ocean Aero as the company relocates to Gulfport to produce its maritime vehicles and conduct research crucial to protecting our maritime environment, both here at home and around the U.S. The public-private partnerships committed to this industry that are already in place on the Coast will work hard to ensure Ocean Aero not only meets, but exceeds, its goals in our great state.” – Governor Tate Reeves
“We’re very proud of our recent technical achievements and growing customer support and look forward to continuing to innovate with all of our constituents into the future. Along with our partners at the University of Southern Mississippi and the growing Gulf Blue ecosystem, we are building a world-class collaboration of leaders. We’d like to thank our friends at the Harrison County Development Commission, the Mississippi Power Company, and the Mississippi Development Authority for their tireless efforts, as well as special thanks to Senator Hyde-Smith for her early championship for Ocean Aero, and Senator Wicker for his continued advocacy and support. Without this tremendous Mississippi community, we wouldn’t be as successful today.”– Ocean Aero CEO Kevin Decker
About Mississippi Development Authority
Mississippi Development Authority is the state’s lead economic and community development agency. MDA focuses on new business recruitment, existing business expansion, workforce training, and tourism promotion. For more information, visit MDA’s website at mississippi.org.
Media Contact:
Tammy Craft Dudley
Public Relations
tcraft@mississippi.org
(601) 359-6556
C: (601) 383-4806
