# SubSea Craft Establishes U.S. Production Center in Mississippi

SubSea Craft, a maritime technology firm headquartered in Portsmouth, England, is investing **$6.1 million** to establish its primary U.S. commercial production center in Hancock County, Mississippi, with operations expected to begin in the second quarter of 2027. The facility at Port Bienville will focus on manufacturing advanced composite components for autonomous surface vessels, alongside testing, software validation, and technical support. This initiative is supported by the Mississippi Development Authority and local partners through tax incentives and workforce development programs, aiming to create 56 skilled jobs by 2028.

- **Why this matters:** This investment signals growing opportunities in autonomous maritime technologies within the Gulf Coast region, highlighting Mississippi as a strategic hub for advanced manufacturing and maritime innovation.
- Procurement professionals should note the involvement of state and local economic development agencies offering incentives and workforce support, which may influence future contracting and partnership opportunities.
- Contractors specializing in composite manufacturing, autonomous systems, and maritime technology services can explore collaboration or subcontracting prospects with SubSea Craft as it scales U.S. operations.
- The project underscores the importance of regional economic development initiatives in attracting high-tech manufacturing, which may impact procurement strategies related to maritime and defense technology supply chains.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Transportation, Defense & Military
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure, Contracting Vehicles
**Published:** September 24, 2026

### Government Entities
- Mississippi Development Authority (MDA)
- Hancock County Board of Supervisors
- Hancock County Port & Harbor Commission
- AccelerateMS

### Vendors
- SubSea Craft (prime contractor)

### Key Quotes
> Every time a company chooses Mississippi, it’s a win for the people who live here. SubSea Craft’s $6 million investment will bring 56 high-tech jobs to Hancock County and add to the momentum we’re seeing in our Gulf Coast’s blue economy.
> — Tate Reeves, Governor

> This facility will enable us to manufacture, integrate, test and support advanced autonomous maritime systems at pace, strengthening our ability to support both U.S. and international customers while creating highly skilled jobs in the region.
> — Camilla Martin, Chief Executive Officer, SubSea Craft

### Sources
- [SubSea Craft locating operations in Hancock County | Mississippi Development Authority](https://mississippi.org/news/subsea-craft-locating-operations-in-hancock-county/) - Mississippi