Plans of A Deal to Reopen UK Shipyard in Appledore, Devon Imminent Says Union

21st July 2020

Appledore Shipyard in North Devon closed with the loss of 200 jobs. AFLOAT adds the UK shipyard (Babcock Marine & Technology) completed the fourth and final of the Irish Naval Service (INS) P60 class OPV LÉ George Bernard Shaw (P64) which also became the last ship built at the UK facility that also constructed modular sections for a pair of Royal Navy 'Queen Elizabeth' aircraft carriers of recent years. As for the 'P64'/Playwright ship is seen above on a joint exersise in the Celtic Sea with the Royal Navy's HMS Tyne (P281). The exercise involved conducting manoeuvring, comms, RAS & ship handling serials and according to the INS was a great opportunity to enhance interoperability and train sailors with their UK counterparts. Afloat finally adds the joint nations-naval exercise concluded on Bloomsday, 16 June. Credit: Royal Navy -Irish Naval Service -retweeted

According to BusinessLive, a deal in the UK is close to being struck which would see the Appledore shipyard in north Devon reopen, according to union bosses.

GMB, the shipbuilding union, says early indications of a deal to re-open the yard, mothballed for 16 months, would be great news for the community.

Although details are scarce, it is understood a deal in principle has now finally been struck for Appledore Shipyard in north Devon – although it is not yet clear which consortium has been successful.

There will now be a 60-day grace period while final terms are settled.

Ross Murdoch, GMB national officer and CSEU (Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions ) national chair, said: “GMB and sister CSEU trade unions have worked round the clock to make sure this famous shipyard was not consigned to the scrapheap.

“But UK shipbuilding is still on the brink. The Tories must stop their ridiculous plan to build the next wave of Royal Navy support ships overseas and let them be built in UK yards instead.”

For more on this shipyard development click here following previous coverage on Afloat.

As mentioned in the photo-caption, the Irish Naval Service's LÉ George Bernard Shaw was the last ship built at the shipyard.

In addition for more on the vessel's Dalkey. Co. Dublin (click here see p.9) connections concerning the playwright.

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About The Author

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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