Shipyard A&P Tyne has completed the fabrication of four stern end units for the UK’s Royal Navy’s Type 26 / City class frigate, HMS Belfast, which is the third newbuild of the series.
The shipyard in north-east England is part of APCL Group, which includes two sites at A&P Falmouth, Cornwall, as Afloat recently reported of a cruise ship contract.
As for the Type 26 programme, this is currently being delivered by BAE Systems, which will provide the Royal Navy with the most advanced anti-submarine warfare capability available. Both A&P and Cammell Laird were selected by BAE Systems to construct the units for the ‘City’ Class ships.
The programme is comprised of eight ships, which are expected to enter service between 2028 and 2035.
The four steel structures weigh 220-tonnes in total and include welded hot work items. They were fabricated over a 10-month period at the Hebburn facility on the Tyne & Wear and have now arrived at BAE Systems facility in Govan, Scotland, for final assembly, where the yard on the Clyde Afloat highlights also built the leadship of the class, HMS Glasgow followed by HMS Cardiff and HMS Birmingham.
This major milestone showcases A&P Tyne’s advanced fabrication capabilities, utilising cutting-edge CNC machinery, sub-assembly bays, a panel line, and the main assembly hall.
A&P Tyne’s highly skilled workforce, comprising of 70 tradesmen and supported by technical staff, worked around the clock throughout the programme. Ten apprentices were also given the opportunity to learn their trade on the prestigious programme.
Ian Douglas, Managing Director of A&P Tyne, said: “A&P Tyne has completed block build units for some of the most significant ship building projects in recent time, including the Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carriers and the RRS Sir David Attenborough.”
“A&P Tyne is delighted to have delivered units for Ship No. 3, HMS Belfast, of the Type 26 frigates and build on our collaboration with BAE Systems.
David McGinley, APCL CEO, said: “We are extremely proud to be playing such a significant role in the production of vessels, which will help form the backbone of our nation’s future defence.
“Our skilled workforce, along with our valued apprentices, have been working with their customary professionalism and dedication to ensure this work has been completed to the very highest standards.”
