PORT Macquarie ship builder Birdon has announced plans to develop and operate a 400,000-square-foot (37,161sqm) advanced ship manufacturingfacility at the Port of Pensacola, Florida.
It will be the maritime heavyweight’s sixth US facility.
Birdon America president Tony Ardito said the City of Pensacola partnership demonstrated the company’s long-standing record as a consistent federal government partner.
“Birdon has an excellent track record as a reliable partnerto US government customers,” he said.
“Our expansion to a sixth location at the Port of Pensacola demonstrates our commitment to helping to revitalise and rebuild America’s Maritime Industrial Base.”
Birdon is to partner with the City of Pensacola and other stakeholders in the US to incorporate advanced technology into its shipbuilding practices.
Production is expected to take three million man-hours peryear of extra capacity for fabrication of ships and modules to support the US Maritime Industrial Base.
The facility is to employ about 2,000 personnel, includingengineering, skilled trades, and other support roles.
Birdon’s announcement follows initial approval by Triumph Gulf Coast for a $76 million grant to the City of Pensacola to help build the facilities Birdon operate at the Port.
Triumph is a not-for-profit corporation that oversees the expenditure of funds for economic damages resulting from the 2010 DeepwaterHorizon oil spill.
The expansion complements Birdon’s existing facilities and its ongoing US government programs.
These include the Waterways Commerce Cutter (WCC) construction for the US Coast Guard in Bayou La Batre, Alabama; and the 47’Motor Lifeboat (MLB) Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) for the Coast Guardin Bellingham, Washington, and Portland, Connecticut.
The new facility is expected to open at the Port of Pensacola during the third quarter of 2027.