Chesapeake Shipbuilding  is planning to expand its operations on Maryland’s Eastern Shore with the potential for more than 100 new jobs in the state.

The company is set to design and build a fleet of ships for American Cruise Lines, which offers river cruises and small ship coastal cruises throughout the country. The 12 ships will be part of the cruise line’s Project Blue to “more than double ” the amount of domestic coastal cruises in the U.S.

“Project Blue started as a design challenge to create a boat small enough for New England harbors and stable enough for the Alaska Inside Passage, with a draft shallow enough for the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. These boats can run almost anywhere,” said Charles B. Robertson, president & CEO of American Cruise Lines .

“Together with Chesapeake Shipbuilding, we built the first modern riverboats in the country. Now we are proud to introduce another new ship design for domestic exploration,” he continued.

Chesapeake Shipbuilding is already hard at work on the first two ships, American Glory and American Eagle , with plans to debut them on the East Coast next year. Each ship can hold nearly 160 passengers and crew members and more than four dozen cabins for guests.

The project, however, is increasing Chesapeake Shipbuilding’s need for workspace in Wicomico County. The company is currently planning several new buildings in the region, including new office spaces and trade shops , and is hiring to increase its workforce  for the ongoing project.

To assist with the expansion, the company plans to utilize the state’s One Maryland Tax Credit  and the More Jobs for Marylanders program , both managed by the Maryland Department of Commerce.

From rich coastal farmland to quiet, traditional small towns and fishing villages, learn more about life in Maryland .