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Displaying items by tag: UK Shadow Sec Visit

A visit to Harland & Wolff Group’s Belfast shipyard took place recently by the UK Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn MP.

The visit according to Harland & Wolff came on the same day that the Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reevess MP, announced a Labour Party commitment to build all government vessels at shipyards across the UK should the party form a future administration.

Mr Benn toured the shipyard and saw the extensive civil works underway as part of a £77m upgrade of yard infrastructure and technology to deliver three Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ships.

Harland & Wolff is part of Team Resolute, in a consortium including BMT and Navantia UK, part of the Spanish state-owned shipbuilding group which won the £1.6 billion contract. 

The three FSS / replenishment vessels have been ordered by the UK Ministry of Defence for the RFA which will serve the operational requirements of the British Royal Navy.

The shipyard on Queens Island has been upgraded to adopt state-of-the-art shipbuilding techniques which will underpin Harland & Wolff’s capacity to deliver key naval programmes of FSS and beyond.

Over the course of the FSS contract, at its peak, Harland & Wolff is expected to employ 1,200 personnel in Belfast and at their Appledore shipyard, in north Devon, England with an expected additional 800 plus jobs across the UK supply chain.

In addition to cutting edge automation and robotic machinery capabilities, the improvements include a 5,000m2 extension to the existing fabrication halls. This will facilitate up to 16m2 of automated fabrication panels.

Published in Shipyards

About Foyle Port

Foyle Port, located in the North West region of Northern Ireland, is estimated to handle around 2 million tonnes of cargo per year, with a trade value of approximately £1 billion. The port plays a crucial role in facilitating the import of essential agri-products, supporting around 20,000 farms in the region, as well as various local business sectors such as fuel/oil and construction industries. The organisation supports an estimated 1000 direct and indirect jobs.

Originally located in the bustling heart of Derry City, the Commissioners relocated the port to its current deep-water location at Lisahally in 1993. The terminal boasts an impressive 440 metres of quay and can accommodate large vessels of up to 62,000 DWT. Foyle Port is primarily a bulk port and a significant importer of essential commodities such as oil, coal, animal feed, fertiliser, and plywood, all of which are vital for the North West rural region.

Since 2003, the organisation has experienced significant growth, doubling both turnover and profit and attracting approximately £100 million of inward investment to the region. This investment has supported projects, including a fertiliser plant, an oil tank farm, and a biomass power station.

Established by Act of Parliament in 1854, the Londonderry Port & Harbour Commissioners is an independent statutory authority with a duty to develop, maintain and operate to the highest standards of efficiency, financial prudence, environmental awareness, safety, and security. The Port is independent of the Government and is self-financing. All financial surpluses are reinvested in the business for the benefit of future generations of stakeholders.