US Shipbuilder Selects “World’s Largest Shiplift” For Texas Shipyard

The world’s largest shiplift, as described by Saronic and Syncrolift, will be supplied for the Port Alpha shipyard in Brownsville, Texas, under a contract awarded to Syncrolift AS.

Saronic announced the contract on November 12, 2026, and valued it at more than USD 100 million. Nekkar ASA, the Oslo-listed parent of Syncrolift, had disclosed the award to the stock exchange on November 4.

Nekkar described the award in its third quarter report as the largest contract the Norwegian company has won to date.

The companies say the shiplift can raise 67,000 tonnes from a platform 300 metres long. According to the companies, no other installation can lift even half as much.

Syncrolift designed the system as a tandem shiplift with a rigid platform, condition monitoring and digital-twin controls. Saronic said the shiplift and its transfer system would let several vessels be built and fitted out side by side on flat land, which removes the need for multiple graving docks.

Saronic said it evaluated docking and transfer technologies before choosing the Norwegian supplier.

Doug Lambert, a co-founder and the chief operating officer of Saronic, called the shiplift foundational to the way Port Alpha will run.

Syncrolift Managing Director Rolf-Atle Tomassen said ships can be constructed and fitted out ashore at the same time, then moved onto the lift when each is ready for launch. The project would be run from Syncrolift’s base in Vestby, near Oslo.

Saronic plans to invest more than USD 3 billion in Port Alpha. The yard is designed for autonomous and crewed vessels ordered by commercial and defense customers. The site covers 835 acres at the start and could expand to nearly 4,400.

Saronic broke ground on Port Alpha September 30, with operations planned to begin in 2028.

Syncrolift has built over 240 shiplifts worldwide, according to its website.

References: Saronic and Nekkar joint press release, Nekkar ASA Q3 2026 report, WorkBoat, Baird Maritime, Syncrolift