UK Shipyard of Appledore in Devon Close to Reopening

7th November 2019

The historic UK shipyard at Appledore could reopen as early as December if a deal is secured at talks, say sources. AFLOAT adds the last vessel to be built at the north Devon shipyard was the OPV LÉ George Bernard Shaw, the fourth and final of the OPV90/P60 Class, which in April this year was commissioned by the Irish Naval Service. Credit: Irish Naval Service

In the UK at the Appledore shipyard in Devon, the facility is close to reopening, 12 months after its 164-year shipbuilding history appeared to have come to an end.

The shipyard could reopen as soon as December if a deal is secured, although the terms may not be finalised for a fortnight or more, as the Guardian understands.

The future of the shipyard, which made components for HMS Queen Elizabeth and the new generation of aircraft carriers (and Afloat adds patrol vessels for the Irish Naval Service), came under threat after Babcock International, a FTSE 250 defence and outsourcing company, chose not to renew its lease in November 2018.

Multiple parties are understood to be in involved in talks about taking on the shipyard, including a consortium led by Devon-based shipbuilders House of Santon Maritime, according to two sources. House of Santon did not respond to requests for comment.

For further reading on this development click here.

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Jehan Ashmore

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Jehan Ashmore is a marine correspondent, researcher and photographer, specialising in Irish ports, shipping and the ferry sector serving the UK and directly to mainland Europe. Jehan also occasionally writes a column, 'Maritime' Dalkey for the (Dalkey Community Council Newsletter) in addition to contributing to UK marine periodicals.

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