Florida has announced financial support for a proposed shipbuilding development at the Port of Pensacola, as plans move forward to expand maritime manufacturing and support U.S. naval shipbuilding capabilities.

The project, known as Project Maeve, received a $9 million grant backed by the administration of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. The funding is intended to support infrastructure improvements, including site development, utilities and construction associated with two planned shipbuilding facilities.

Australian defense shipbuilder Birdon is expected to operate the proposed facilities. The Port of Pensacola has also applied for approximately $76 million from funding associated with the BP Deepwater Horizon settlement. The overall project is estimated to cost around $275 million and would be developed in two phases.

Plans call for approximately 400,000 square feet of new manufacturing space, with facilities designed to produce ship modules for U.S. Navy submarines and surface vessels. The shipyard could also have the capability to construct vessels measuring up to 400 feet in length.

If fully developed, Project Maeve is projected to generate approximately 2,000 jobs, including about 1,440 onsite positions and 560 professional roles. The development could strengthen Pensacola\'s maritime industrial sector while contributing additional capacity to the broader U.S. shipbuilding supply chain.