WXXV-TV Gulfport
Ocean Aero moving operations and headquarters to Gulfport
WXXV Staff
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 Mississippi Development Authority said in a press release today.
The project is a $4.65 million corporate investment and will create 45 jobs.
“Mississippi remains firmly focused on the development of our maritime industry and blue economy,” said Gov. Tate Reeves. “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.”
Ocean Aero’s AUSVs are currently deployed by the U.S. Dept. of Defense, Department 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.
“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,” said Ocean Aero CEO Kevin Decker.
“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 Sen. (Cindy) Hyde-Smith for her early championship for Ocean Aero, and Sen. (Roger) Wicker for his continued advocacy and support. Without this tremendous Mississippi community, we wouldn’t be as successful today.”
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.